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| Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type | Share ISIN | Share Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Yellow Group Plc | LSE:BYG | London | Ordinary Share | GB0002869419 | ORD 10P |
| Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20.00 | 1.88% | 1,086.00 | 1,084.00 | 1,088.00 | 1,090.00 | 1,060.00 | 1,060.00 | 218,359 | 15:31:18 |
| Industry Sector | Turnover | Profit | EPS - Basic | PE Ratio | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Whse & Storage, Nec | 188.83M | 73.33M | 0.3738 | 28.95 | 2.12B |
From Apr 2019 to Apr 2024
TIDMBYG
RNS Number : 0076X
Big Yellow Group PLC
21 November 2017
21 November 2017
Big Yellow Group PLC
("Big Yellow", "the Group" or "the Company")
Results for the Six Months ended 30 September 2017
Strong performance driven by occupancy growth
Hot Features
Premium
Six months Six months
Financial metrics ended ended %
30 September 30 September
2017 2016
Revenue GBP58.1 million GBP54.8 million 6
Like-for-like Revenue(1) GBP57.1 million GBP54.0 million 6
Store EBITDA(2) GBP39.7 million GBP36.9 million 8
Adjusted profit before tax(3) GBP30.6 million GBP27.0 million 13
Adjusted EPRA diluted earnings
per share(4) 19.1 pence 16.9 pence 13
Interim dividend per share 15.3 pence 13.5 pence 13
Cash flow from operating activities
(after finance costs)(5) GBP32.5 million GBP28.9 million 12
------------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------
Store metrics
Occupancy growth (sq ft)(2) 265,000 134,000 98
5.3
Closing occupancy (% of MLA) 83.8% 78.5% ppts
Average achieved net rent per sq GBP26.02 GBP26.05
ft(2) -
Statutory metrics
Profit before tax GBP78.7 million GBP57.7 million 36
Basic earnings per share 50.0 pence 36.7 pence 36
------------------------------------- ---------------- ---------------- ------
(1) Like-for-like revenue exclude Nine Elms and Twickenham 2, which were acquired in April 2016. (2) see Portfolio Summary; (3) see note 6; (4) see note 8 (5) Cash flow from operating activities (after finance costs) excludes working capital movements - see reconciliation in Business and Financial Review
First Half Highlights
-- Strong occupancy performance driving 6% revenue growth -- Average rate flat period on period; closing net rent up 1% from 31 March 2017 -- Continued growth in EBITDA, adjusted earnings and dividend
-- Cash flow from operating activities (after finance costs and before working capital movements) increased by 12% to GBP32.5 million
-- Adjusted profit before tax up 13% to GBP30.6 million -- 13% increase in interim dividend to 15.3 pence per share
-- Acquisition of new development sites in Wapping (London), Bracknell and Slough taking pipeline to 575,000 sq ft (13% of current MLA)
-- Planning consent obtained at Manchester for a landmark city centre store of 60,000 sq ft -- Refinancing extending the term of the Group's debt and reducing the average cost
Commenting, Nicholas Vetch, Executive Chairman, said:
"In this seasonally stronger six month trading period, the Group has delivered a good performance with like-for-like revenue growth of 6% compared to the same period last year. In May, along with our year end results, we set out our ambition to see material growth in occupancy towards our long held target of 85%. We are therefore pleased to be reporting significant progress in occupancy with these results, albeit, there has been no rate growth period on period. That said, we have seen a 1.6% increase in net achieved rent per sq ft to the date of these results since 31 March 2017.
In our view, it makes no sense to have significant unutilised capacity, and consequently we have focussed on occupancy and will continue to do so for the time being. Our pricing model is largely automated and higher levels of occupancy deliver more traction on pricing. We know this because we can see the performance of stores with elevated occupancy.
We are now in our seasonally weakest quarter, in which for the last couple of years we have lost 3 ppts of occupancy and then rebuilt occupancy in the final quarter to March. Given closing occupancy of 83.8% at 30 September, we would expect to comfortably pass the 85% mark next summer providing there are no significant external shocks. We are therefore adjusting our occupancy target for the business as a whole to 90%.
Over the long term, we are confident that the existing platform will continue to deliver attractive returns. That said, adding more capacity will improve those returns. The expeditious way of doing that would be to acquire existing freehold self storage assets in London and other large conurbations in the UK. However, there are few self storage centres that meet our quality criteria and for those that do exist, they are generally not for sale. Furthermore, as stated previously, we have no interest in expanding abroad.
We will therefore continue to develop the Big Yellow platform organically, site by site. This does involve risk and requires patience, but it will allow us to expand and improve our unique and irreplaceable portfolio."
- Ends -
ABOUT US
Big Yellow is the UK's brand leader in self storage. Big Yellow now operates from a platform of 92 stores, including 19 stores branded as Armadillo Self Storage, in which the Group has a 20% interest. We own a further ten Big Yellow self storage development sites (including two extensions sites), of which three have planning consent. The current maximum lettable area of this platform is 5.4 million sq ft. When fully built out the portfolio will provide approximately 6.0 million sq ft of flexible storage space. Of the Big Yellow stores and sites, 96% by value are held freehold and long leasehold, with the remaining 4% short leasehold.
The Group has pioneered the development of the latest generation of self storage facilities, which utilise state of the art technology and are located in high profile, accessible, main road locations. Our focus on the location and visibility of our Big Yellow stores, coupled with our excellent customer service and our market leading online platform, has created the most recognised brand name in the UK self storage industry.
For further information, please contact:
Big Yellow Group PLC 01276 477811
Nicholas Vetch, Executive Chairman
James Gibson, Chief Executive Officer
John Trotman, Chief Financial Officer
Teneo Blue Rubicon 020 7260 2700
Ben Foster
Chloe Francklin
Big Yellow Group PLC
("Big Yellow", "the Group" or "the Company")
Results for the Six Months ended 30 September 2017
Chairman's Statement
Big Yellow Group PLC, the UK's brand leader in self storage, is pleased to announce its results for the six months ended 30 September 2017. In this seasonally stronger six month trading period, the Group has delivered a good performance with like-for-like revenue growth of 6% compared to the same period last year. In May, along with our year end results, we set out our ambition to see material growth in occupancy towards our long held target of 85%. We are therefore pleased to be reporting significant progress in occupancy with these results, albeit, there has been no rate growth period on period. That said, we have seen a 1.6% increase in net achieved rent per sq ft to the date of these results since 31 March 2017.
Closing Group occupancy is up 5.8 percentage points to 83.8% compared to 78.0% at 31 March 2017 (up 5.3 percentage points from 78.5% at 30 September 2016). Occupancy growth over the six month period was 265,000 sq ft (2016: 134,000 sq ft, excluding 76,000 sq ft of occupancy acquired in the Nine Elms and Twickenham 2 stores).
The Group's central overhead and operating expense is largely embedded in the business. The growth in revenue and resultant improved operating margin, together with the period on period savings on interest costs, has led to a 13% increase in adjusted earnings per share.
Financial results
Revenue for the period was GBP58.1 million (2016: GBP54.8 million), an increase of 6%. Cash inflows from operating activities (after finance costs and excluding working capital movements) increased by 12% to GBP32.5 million for the period (2016: GBP28.9 million).
The Group made an adjusted profit before tax in the period of GBP30.6 million, up 13% from GBP27.0 million for the same period last year (see note 6). Adjusted diluted EPRA earnings per share were 19.1 pence (2016: 16.9 pence), an increase of 13%. The Group's statutory profit before tax for the period was GBP78.7 million, an increase of 36% from GBP57.7 million for the same period last year, due to the increase in operating profit and a higher revaluation gain in the period.
The Group's interest cover for the period (expressed as the ratio of cash generated from operations pre-working capital movements against interest paid) was 7.6 times (2016: 6.1 times). This is comfortably ahead of our internal minimum interest cover requirement of five times.
Investment in new capacity
We are pleased to report the acquisition of three development sites since March, increasing our pipeline to eight new stores and two extensions, with a total capacity (subject to planning) of approximately 575,000 sq ft (13% of current MLA). The acquisitions in Wapping (just east of Tower Bridge), Bath Road in Slough, and Bracknell are all in London and the South East, and we believe when developed will be quality additions to the portfolio.
We continue to look for land and existing storage centres in large urban conurbations, with a focus on London and the South East, and should the current uncertainties throw up new opportunities, we will pursue them aggressively. That said, developing stores in these areas remains challenging given the competition for land and the pressure to produce more housing.
Our 56,000 sq ft Guildford Central store on Woodbridge Meadows is due to open in March 2018 and the 25,000 sq ft extension to our Wandsworth store is due to complete in April 2018. We are pleased to report that we have obtained planning consent for a landmark Manchester city centre store of 60,000 sq ft on Water Street, with a scheduled opening in Spring 2019. After lengthy consultations, we have made good progress on our planning consultations at Kings Cross, Battersea and Camberwell and anticipate submitting applications on all three schemes in 2018, but as always, the process is subject to the vagaries of the planning system.
At 30 September, the future cost of the current pipeline of ten development sites and extensions, seven of which are subject to planning, is estimated to be GBP90 million.
Dividends
The Group's dividend policy is to distribute 80% of adjusted earnings per share. The interim dividend declared is 15.3 pence per share. This has all been declared as Property Income Dividend ("PID"). The interim dividend declared represents an increase of 13% from 13.5 pence per share for the same period last year.
Outlook
In our view, it makes no sense to have significant unutilised capacity, and consequently we have focussed on occupancy and will continue to do so for the time being. Our pricing model is largely automated and higher levels of occupancy deliver more traction on pricing. We know this because we can see the performance of stores with elevated occupancy.
We are now in our seasonally weakest quarter, in which for the last couple of years we have lost 3 ppts of occupancy and then rebuilt occupancy in the final quarter to March. Given closing occupancy of 83.8% at 30 September, we would expect to comfortably pass the 85% mark next summer providing there are no significant external shocks. We are therefore adjusting our occupancy target for the business as a whole to 90%.
Over the long term, we are confident that the existing platform will continue to deliver attractive returns. That said, adding more capacity will improve those returns. The expeditious way of doing that would be to acquire existing freehold self storage assets in London and other large conurbations in the UK. However, there are few self storage centres that meet our quality criteria and for those that do exist, they are generally not for sale. Furthermore, as stated previously, we have no interest in expanding abroad.
We will therefore continue to develop the Big Yellow platform organically, site by site. This does involve risk and requires patience, but it will allow us to expand and improve our unique and irreplaceable portfolio.
Nicholas Vetch
Executive Chairman
20 November 2017
Business and Financial Review
Trading performance
We are pleased to report a solid trading performance for the six months with an increase in occupancy of 5.8 ppts from March 2017. Like-for-like revenue growth in the first quarter was 5.0%. This improved to 6.6% in the second quarter, with the average for the half year of 5.7%.
As we have often said, the biggest risk to this business is around competition and new supply in our areas of operation. Competitor store openings remain constrained, particularly in London and our other core areas of operation, due to the scarcity of land and competition from other land users. In the market as a whole, new capacity is increasing at around 1 to 2% per annum. We are aware of only five store openings in London in this financial year, but also three store closures, resulting in a very limited increase in supply.
Customer demand
Demand for self storage is largely driven by need, with security, convenience, quality of product, service and location being key drivers. Awareness remains relatively low compared to commoditised products, such as hotel rooms or airline seats, albeit it is increasing slowly year on year with increased supply, marketing spend and customer use.
We are confident that Big Yellow benefits disproportionately from this improving market for our product, due to our market-leading brand and operating platform with our focus on London, the South East and large metropolitan cities. Our digital platform now accounts for 88% of our prospects, of which over half come through our mobile site.
Customers renting storage space whilst moving within the rental or owner occupied sectors represent 41% of move-ins during the period. 10% of our customers who moved in took storage space as a spare room for decluttering. 38% of our customers used the product because some event has occurred in their lives generating the need for storage; they may be moving abroad for a job, have inherited possessions, are getting married or divorced, are students who need storage during the holidays, or homeowners developing into their lofts or basements. The balance of 11% of our customer demand during the period came from businesses. These demand segments are broadly in line with the same period last year.
There is a growing trend towards self-employment and smaller business start-ups in the UK, dynamics that are positive for self storage. Additionally, businesses in the UK are increasingly seeking flexible office and storage space as a means of operation, shying away from longer inflexible leases. The deindustrialisation of big cities with the conversion of commercial space into residential and other uses, is also a driver for demand from the SME market seeking flexible warehouse space.
Of our occupied space today, customers who are longer stay lifestyle users, decluttering into small rooms as an extension to their accommodation, occupy 10% to 15%; 50% to 55% are using it for less than 12 months largely event driven, which could be inheritance, moving, carrying out building work, and the balance of 35% are businesses, typically SMEs.
Store occupancy
Prospects for the six months were broadly in line with the same period last year, but we converted a higher proportion of those prospects into move-ins, with move-ins up 4% on the prior period.
The table below shows the monthly move-in and move-out activity over the half year:
Move-ins period Move-ins period % Move-outs Move-outs %
ended 30 September ended 30 September period ended period ended
2017 2016 30 September 30 September
2017 2016
April 5,530 5,409 2 5,082 5,463 (7)
May 6,470 6,189 5 5,168 5,110 1
June 8,322 7,911 5 4,862 5,052 (4)
July 7,562 7,352 3 6,679 6,559 2
August 6,969 6,848 2 6,622 6,609 -
September 6,932 6,502 7 9,651 9,071 6
----------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------- -------------- ----
Total 41,785 40,211 4 38,064 37,864 1
----------- -------------------- -------------------- -------------- -------------- ----
October 5,989 5,762 4 6,978 7,046 (1)
During the period, we saw improved move-in activity month-on-month. This reflects the occupancy focus over the period, with continued innovation and investment in our digital platform and operations. Move-outs were lower in the first quarter following quieter trading earlier in the year. The increase in move outs in September was largely due to higher levels of student move-ins over the summer.
Occupancy growth over the six month period was 265,000 sq ft (2016: 134,000 sq ft, excluding 76,000 sq ft of occupancy acquired in the Nine Elms and Twickenham 2 stores).
Net sq ft Net sq ft Net move-ins Net move-ins
period ended period ended period ended period ended
30 September 30 September 30 September 30 September
2017 2016 2017 2016
April 30,000 (12,000) 448 (54)
May 48,000 42,000 1,302 1,079
June 105,000 80,000 3,460 2,859
July 78,000 48,000 883 793
August 36,000 6,000 347 239
September (32,000) (30,000) (2,719) (2,569)
----------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Total 265,000 134,000 3,721 2,347
----------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
October (46,000) (64,000) (989) (1,284)
Our third quarter is historically the weakest trading quarter and in recent years, we have typically lost two to three percentage points of occupancy before a return to growth in the new year. Since the end of September we have lost 86,000 sq ft (1.9% of maximum lettable area "MLA"), compared to 84,000 sq ft (1.8% of MLA) lost at this stage last year. We do expect to return to occupancy growth in our seasonally stronger March quarter.
The 67 mature stores are 84.3% occupied compared to 79.6% at the same time last year. The four established stores have grown in occupancy from 77.9% to 84.1%. The two developing stores added 30,000 sq ft of occupancy in the past 12 months to reach closing occupancy of 69.1%. Overall store occupancy has increased over the 12 months from 78.5% to 83.8%, and by 5.8 ppts from 1 April 2017.
Occupancy 30 September
growth from 2017
March 2017
000 sq ft 000 sq ft 31 March 30 September
2016
Occupancy 2017 000 sq ft
at 30 September
2017
% 000 sq ft
---------------- ------------ ------------- ----------- -------------
67 mature stores 84.3% 232 3,503 3,271 3,307
4 established
stores 84.1% 15 228 213 211
2 developing stores 69.1% 18 85 67 55
Total - all 73
stores 83.8% 265 3,816 3,551 3,573
All 73 stores open at the period end are trading profitably at the Store EBITDA level.
Pricing and rental yield
Our core proposition remains a high quality product, competitively priced, with excellent customer service, providing value for money to our customers. We offer a headline opening promotion of 50% off for up to the first 8 weeks, and we continue to manage pricing dynamically, taking account of room availability, customer demand and local competition.
Over the past year we have been more aggressive with our promotions to drive occupancy growth, which led to a reduction in net achieved rent per sq ft in the second half of the prior financial year. Following this fall in the period to March, and hence a lower starting point in this financial year, the average rate achieved in the six months to 30 September 2017 was in line with the same period last year. These more aggressive promotions are now embedded in our business, and with the portfolio at a higher occupancy level over the six months to 30 September 2017, net achieved rent per sq ft grew by 1.0% from 31 March 2017, and has grown by 1.6% to the date of these results.
Our pricing model reduces promotions and increases asking prices where individual units are in scarce supply. This lowering of promotions, coupled with price increases to existing and new customers, leads to an increase in net achieved rents. The table below illustrates this, showing the growth in net rent per sq ft for the portfolio over the period (on a non-weighted basis).
Average occupancy Number of Net rent per sq ft growth in stores from 1 April to 30 September the six months 2017 ------------------ ---------- ------------------------------ 0 to 75% 12 (0.3%) 75 to 80% 18 0.8% 80 to 85% 27 2.1% Above 85% 16 2.2%
The rental growth for the stores with an average occupancy above 85% would equates to 4.4% annualised were it to be replicated in the second half of the year.
Security of income
Our principal financial aims remain to grow cash flow, earnings and dividend. We believe that self storage income is essentially evergreen income with highly defensive characteristics driven from buildings with very low obsolescence risk. Although our contract with our customers is in theory as short as a week, we do not need to rely on contracts for our income security. At 30 September 2017 the average length of stay for existing customers was 24 months. For all customers, including those who have moved out of the business, the average length of stay has remained at 8 months. 30% of our customers by occupied space have been storing with us for over two years, and a further 17% of customers have been in the business for between one and two years.
The location of our stores, brand, security, and most importantly customer service, together with the diversity of our 56,000 customers, serve better than any contract in providing income security.
Revenue
Total revenue for the period was GBP58.1 million, an increase of GBP3.3 million (6%) from GBP54.8 million in the prior period. Like-for-like revenue for the six month period was GBP57.1 million, an increase of 6% from the prior period. Like-for-like revenue excludes Nine Elms and Twickenham 2 in both periods, which were acquired from Lock and Leave in April 2016.
Other sales (included within the above), comprising the selling of packing materials, insurance and storage related charges, represented 17.4% of storage income for the period (2016: 17.0%) and generated revenue of GBP8.4 million for the period, up 8% from GBP7.8 million in 2016 (see Portfolio Summary).
The other revenue earned is management fee income from the Armadillo Partnerships and tenant income on sites where we have not started development.
Operating costs
Cost of sales comprises principally of direct store operating costs, including store staff salaries, utilities, business rates, insurance, a full allocation of the central marketing budget, and repairs and maintenance.
The breakdown of the portfolio's operating costs compared to the prior period is shown in the table below (see Portfolio Summary):
Period ended Period ended % of store
30 September 30 September % change operating
Category 2017 2016 costs in
GBP000 GBP000 period
Cost of sales (insurance
and packing materials) 1,341 1,237 8 8
Staff costs 4,510 4,434 2 28
General & Admin 570 558 2 4
Utilities 679 752 (10) 4
Property Rates 5,172 5,044 3 32
Marketing 2,178 2,062 6 13
Repairs and maintenance 1,296 1,272 2 8
Insurance 404 384 5 2
Computer Costs 229 221 4 1
Irrecoverable VAT 8 7 14 -
Total per portfolio summary 16,387 15,971 3
Store operating costs have increased by GBP0.4 million (3%) compared to the same period last year.
Following the recent rating review, we calculated that the impact on the Group's rates bill for the year ending 31 March 2018 would be an increase of 9%, (GBP0.9 million). This increase has in part been mitigated in the current period by rates rebates received at two of our stores in respect of the previous rating period to March 2017.
The cost of insurance and packing materials varies with sales and has increased in a similar proportion to revenue. We continue to invest in marketing to maintain the Group's online market share and enquiry levels. Our investment in LED lighting has contributed to a reduction in our utility expenditure. The other increases in store operating costs are inflationary.
The table below reconciles store operating costs per the portfolio summary to cost of sales in the income statement:
Period Period
ended 30 ended 30
September September
2017 2016
GBP000 GBP000
Direct store operating costs per portfolio summary
(excluding rent) 16,387 15,971
Rent included in cost of sales (total rent payable
is included in portfolio summary) 509 557
Depreciation charged to cost of sales 226 202
Prior period VAT recovery - (278)
Head office operational management costs charged
to cost of sales 392 432
Other (e.g. void costs of development sites) 74 139
----------- -----------
Cost of sales per income statement 17,588 17,023
Store EBITDA
Store EBITDA for the period was GBP39.7 million, an increase of GBP2.8 million (8%) from GBP36.9 million for the period ended 30 September 2016 (see Portfolio Summary). The overall EBITDA margin for all Big Yellow stores during the period was 69.6% an improvement from 68.5% in 2016.
Administrative expenses
Administrative expenses in the income statement have decreased by GBP0.1 million. The prior period contained an exceptional cost of GBP0.3 million in relation to acquisition costs of Lock and Leave, hence the like for like increase is GBP0.2 million. The increase is due to national insurance payable on the vesting of LTIPs, coupled with inflationary increases. The non-cash share based payments charge represents GBP1.1 million of the overall GBP5.1 million expense.
Interest
The interest on bank borrowings during the period was GBP5.0 million, GBP0.8 million lower than the same period last year. Average debt levels were broadly in line with the prior period, but the Group benefited from a lower average cost of borrowing compared to the same period last year following the fall in base rates, lower margins post refinancing and the cancellation of interest rate swaps and associated re-hedging.
Interest capitalised in the period amounted to GBP0.2 million (2016: no capitalised interest), principally arising on the construction of our Guildford Central store and the construction of the extension of our Wandsworth store.
Results
The Group's statutory profit before tax for the period was GBP78.7 million, an increase of 36% from GBP57.7 million for the same period last year. The increase is due to the higher revaluation surplus in the period, coupled with the increase in adjusted profit before tax (as explained below).
After adjusting for the gain on the revaluation of investment properties and other matters shown in the table below, the Group made an adjusted profit before tax in the period of GBP30.6 million, up 13% from GBP27.0 million in 2016.
Profit before tax analysis Six months ended Six months
30 September ended 30 September
2017 2016
GBPm GBPm
----------------------------------- ----------------- --------------------
Profit before tax 78.7 57.7
Gain on revaluation of investment
properties (47.5) (31.6)
Gain on part disposal of (0.6) -
investment property
Change in fair value of interest
rate derivatives (0.8) 1.0
Acquisition costs written
off - 0.3
Prior period VAT recovery - (0.3)
Refinancing costs 1.5 -
Share of non-recurring gains
in associates (0.7) (0.1)
Adjusted profit before tax 30.6 27.0
------------------------------------ ----------------- --------------------
Tax (0.3) (0.3)
------------------------------------ ----------------- --------------------
Adjusted profit after tax 30.3 26.7
------------------------------------ ----------------- --------------------
During the period, the Group sold land at its Richmond store to an adjoining landowner for GBP650,000. The valuation of the store was not impacted by this disposal, hence the full proceeds have been recorded as profit on part disposal of investment property and is an adjusting item above.
The movement in the adjusted profit before tax from the prior year is shown in the table below, with the majority of the increase being driven by the improvement in gross profit:
Movement in adjusted profit before tax GBPm --------------------------------------------------- ------ Adjusted profit before tax for the six months to 30 September 2016 27.0 Increase in gross profit 3.0 Increase in administrative expenses (0.2) Reduction in net interest payable 0.7 Decrease in share of associates' recurring profit (0.1) Increase in capitalised interest 0.2 Adjusted profit before tax for the six months to 30 September 2017 30.6
The Group's share of associates' profit before tax increased by GBP0.1 million compared to the same period last year, however following a prior year tax adjustment and an increase in the corporation tax charge in both companies, the share of profit after tax reduced by GBP0.1 million.
Diluted EPRA earnings per share was 19.1 pence (2016: 16.9 pence), an increase of 13% from the same period last year.
Cash flow
Cash flows from operating activities (after net finance costs and pre working capital movements) have increased by 12% to GBP32.5 million for the period (2016: GBP28.9 million), in line with the growth in store EBITDA. These operating cash flows are after the ongoing maintenance costs of the stores, which are on average GBP35,000 per store per annum. The Group's net debt has increased over the period to GBP305.3 million (March 2017: GBP298.0 million).
Six months Six months
ended 30 September ended 30 September
2017 2016
GBPm GBPm
Cash generated from operations pre
working capital 37.4 34.6
Finance costs (net) (4.9) (5.7)
-------------------- --------------------
Free cash flow pre working capital 32.5 28.9
Working capital movements (2.4) (4.4)
Tax (0.2) -
Disposal of assets 0.7 0.3
Capital expenditure (15.7) (17.1)
Receipt from Capital Goods Scheme 2.3 1.6
Dividend received from associates 0.2 0.2
Cash flow after investing activities 17.4 9.5
Dividends (22.1) (20.0)
Payment to cancel interest rate derivatives (3.4) -
Issue of share capital 0.9 0.3
Increase/(decrease) in borrowings 5.8 (1.1)
-------------------- --------------------
Net cash outflow (1.4) (11.3)
-------------------- --------------------
The Group's interest cover for the period (expressed as the ratio of cash generated from operations pre-working capital movements against interest paid) was 7.6 times (2016: 6.1 times).
The capital expenditure in the period principally relates to the acquisition of Wapping, and construction costs on our new store at Guildford Central and the extension of our existing Wandsworth store. The prior period capital expenditure was principally to acquire the stores in Nine Elms and Twickenham from Lock and Leave.
Taxation
The Group is a Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT"). We benefit from a zero tax rate on our qualifying self storage earnings. We only pay corporation tax on the profits attributable to our residual business, comprising primarily of the sale of packing materials and insurance, and management fees earned by the Group.
There is a GBP0.3 million tax charge in the residual business for the period ended 30 September 2017 (six months to 30 September 2016: GBP0.3 million).
Dividends
REIT regulatory requirements determine the level of Property Income Dividend ("PID") payable by the Group. A PID of 15.3 pence per share is proposed as the total interim dividend, an increase of 13% from 13.5 pence per share PID for the same period last year.
The interim dividend will be paid on 5 January 2018. The ex-div date is 7 December 2017 and the record date is 8 December 2017.
Financing and treasury
During the period, the Group further reduced its average cost of debt, whilst increasing the available facilities and extending the average term of its debt.
The Group extended its GBP70 million loan with M&G by a year, pushing its expiry out to June 2023. All other terms and conditions of the loan remained the same, hence it was not a material modification of the loan under IAS 39. At the same time, the Group cancelled the existing interest rate derivative that was in place over half of the M&G loan (2.64% expiring in June 2022) at a cost of GBP3.4 million and replaced it with a new derivative until June 2023 at a pre margin rate of 0.76%.
The Group also amended the terms of its existing GBP190 million bank facility, which was treated as an extinguishment of the loan under IAS 39. The GBP85 million term loan, which attracted a margin of 150bps, was converted to revolving loan at a lower margin of 125 bps. The term of the loan was extended to October 2022 with an option in place to extend the loan by a further two years. The Group also has an option to increase the amount of revolving loan by a further GBP80 million during the course of the loan's term.
The refinancing costs of GBP1.5 million shown in the income statement relate to the unamortised loan arrangement costs of the previous bank facility, and the write-off of the costs of the new bank facility in accordance with IAS 39. This has been eliminated from the Group's adjusted profit for the period.
The table below summarises the Group's debt facilities at 30 September 2017. The average cost of debt is adjusted for the 25 bps increase in the base rate announced in November 2017. The average cost has reduced to 2.9% from 3.2% at 31 March 2017:
Debt Expiry Facility Drawn Average interest
cost
------------------- -------------- ----------------- ---------------- -----------------
GBP88.8
Aviva Loan April 2027 GBP88.8 million million 4.9%
M&G loan June 2023 GBP70 million GBP70 million 2.8%
Bank loan (Lloyds
& HSBC) October 2022 GBP190 million GBP152 million 1.9%
------------------- -------------- ----------------- ---------------- -----------------
Average term GBP348.8 GBP310.8
Total 6.1 years million million 2.9%
The Group was comfortably in compliance with its banking covenants at 30 September 2017.
Our financing policy is to fund our current needs through a mix of debt, equity and cash flow to allow us to build out our development pipeline and achieve our strategic growth objectives, which we believe improve returns for shareholders. We aim to ensure that there are sufficient medium-term facilities in place to finance our committed development programme, secured against the freehold portfolio, with debt serviced by our strong operational cash flows. We maintain a keen watch on medium and long-term rates and the Group's policy in respect of interest rates is to maintain a balance between flexibility and hedging of interest rate risk.
The net debt to gross property assets ratio is 24% (2016: 26%) and the net debt to adjusted net assets ratio (see net asset value section below) is 30% (2016: 32%).
Property
Investment property
The Group's investment properties are carried at the half year at Directors' valuation. They are valued externally by Cushman and Wakefield LLP ("C&W") at the year end. The Directors' valuations reflect the latest cash flows derived from each of the stores at the end of September.
In performing the valuations, the Directors consulted with C&W on the capitalisation rates used in the valuations in light of a number of self storage transactions that had taken place in the market in the past six months. The Directors consider that capitalisation rates for London and South East freehold self storage centres have reduced by 15 bps since the start of the financial year. C&W support this view. This cap rate reduction has therefore been applied to the September valuation for the applicable stores.
The Directors consider that the other core assumptions underpinning the valuations including the stabilised occupancy assumptions used, rental growth, and discount rates used by C&W in the March 2017 valuations, are still appropriate at the September valuation date (see the Group's annual report for the year ended 31 March 2017 for the full detail of the valuation methodology).
At 30 September 2017 the total value of the Group's properties is shown in the table below:
Analysis of property portfolio Value at Revaluation
30 September movement in
2017 the period
GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------- -------------- -------------
Investment property 1,204.7 48.0
Investment property under
construction 49.1 (0.5)
-------------------------------- -------------- -------------
Investment property total 1,253.8 47.5
The revaluation surplus for the open stores in the period was GBP48.0 million, as the growth in cash flows feed through to the valuation, coupled with the cap rate reduction discussed above. There is a small deficit on the investment property under construction, due to an increase in anticipated costs on one scheme following feedback from the planning authorities on our initial proposals.
The initial yield on the portfolio before administration expenses and assuming no rental growth, is 6.7% rising to a stabilised yield of 7.0% (31 March 2017: 6.7% rising to 7.2%).
Development pipeline
The Group has acquired three development sites since March, in Wapping (London), Slough and Bracknell. This takes the total pipeline to approximately 575,000 sq ft, representing 13% of current MLA, with an estimated future cost to complete of GBP90 million. The status of the Group's development pipeline is summarised in the table below:
Site Location Status Anticipated
capacity
---------------- ------------------------ --------------------------------- ------------
Guildford Prime location Construction commenced, 56,000
in centre of Guildford store due to open in March sq ft
on Woodbridge 2018, cost to complete
Meadows of GBP2.9 million.
Wandsworth, Extension to existing Construction commenced, Additional
London 47,000 sq ft store extension due to open in 25,000
April 2018, cost to complete sq ft
of GBP3.6 million.
Manchester Prime location Planning consent granted 60,000
on Water Street, in September 2017. Store sq ft
central Manchester construction to start March
2018, with a view to opening
in Spring 2019, cost to
complete of GBP7.0 million.
Camberwell, Prominent location Initial planning application 70,000
London on Southampton refused and subsequent to 75,000
Way appeal dismissed. A revised sq ft
planning application will
be submitted in February
2018.
Kings Cross, Prominent location Planning application currently 110,000
London on York Way being prepared to be submitted to 115,000
in early 2018. sq ft
Bracknell Prime location Contracts recently exchanged 60,000
on Ellesfield with completion due in to 65,000
Avenue December. Application to sq ft
be submitted in early 2018
to incorporate self storage
and other occupiers.
Slough Prominent location Site recently acquired. 45,000
on Bath Road Planning application to to 50,000
be submitted in early 2018. sq ft
Battersea, Prominent location Potential redevelopment Up to an
London on junction of to increase size of existing additional
Lombard Road and 34,000 sq ft Big Yellow 40,000
York Road (South store. Redevelopment of sq ft
Circular) adjoining retail into a
mixed use residential led
scheme. Ongoing detailed
planning discussions with
the Borough Council with
the aim of submitting an
application in May 2018.
Wapping, London Prominent location Site acquired in May 2017. 50,000
on The Highway We will convert part into to 75,000
self storage and collect sq ft
income from the other tenancies
with a view to achieving
a more comprehensive self
storage centre in the longer
term.
Newcastle Prime location Negotiations ongoing with 50,000
on Scotswood Road existing long leasehold to 60,000
tenant to obtain vacant sq ft
possession.
The capital expenditure committed for the remainder of the financial year is approximately GBP17.5 million, which relates to the completion of the purchases of Bracknell and Slough and construction costs incurred on Manchester, Guildford Central and the extension of our Wandsworth store.
The Group manages the construction and fit-out of its stores in-house, as we believe it provides both better control and quality, and we have an excellent record of building stores on time and within budget.
Capital Goods Scheme receivable
At 30 September 2017 we had a receivable of GBP4.6 million in respect of payments due back to the Group under the Capital Goods Scheme as a consequence of the introduction of VAT on self storage from 1 October 2012. To date, we have received payments under the Capital Goods Scheme of GBP9.1 million, receiving GBP2.3 million during the period and GBP0.4 million subsequent to the period end.
Net asset value
The adjusted net asset value is 640.8 pence per share (see note 13), up 5% from 607.6 pence per share at 31 March 2017. The table below reconciles the movement from 31 March 2017:
Equity shareholders' EPRA adjusted
funds NAV pence
GBPm per share
Movement in adjusted net asset value
------------------------------------------ --------------------- --------------
1 April 2017 963.4 607.6
Adjusted profit after tax 30.3 19.0
Equity dividends paid (22.1) (13.9)
Cancellation of interest rate derivative (3.4) (2.1)
Revaluation movements (including share
of associate) 48.2 30.2
Movement in purchaser's cost adjustment 3.7 2.3
Other movements (e.g. share schemes) 1.4 (2.3)
30 September 2017 1,021.5 640.8
------------------------------------------ --------------------- --------------
Armadillo Self Storage
In 2014 we set up a joint venture with a consortium of Australian investors with the aim of acquiring existing self storage facilities as a consolidator in the secondary market. The Group has a 20% investment in Armadillo Storage Holding Company Limited and a 20% investment in Armadillo Storage Holding Company 2 Limited. In the consolidated accounts of Big Yellow Group PLC, our investments in the vehicles are treated as associates using the equity accounting method.
In April 2017 a further three stores were acquired into the Armadillo platform in Exeter, Plymouth and Torquay, for GBP4.75 million. This takes the Armadillo platform to 19 stores and 829,000 sq ft of MLA. As with the other existing store acquisitions, the intention is to upgrade and reconfigure the stores through additional investment to drive cash flow growth.
The occupancy of the portfolios is 649,000 sq ft, against a total capacity of 829,000 sq ft representing occupancy at 30 September 2017 of 78.3% (31 March 2017: 74.7%). The revenue of the portfolio increased by 21% to GBP6.3 million for the six months to 30 September 2017 (2016: GBP5.2 million), on a like-for-like basis, the increase was 9%.
The Armadillo Partnerships made a combined operating profit of GBP3.0 million in the period, of which Big Yellow's share is GBP0.6 million. After net interest costs, the revaluation of investment properties, deferred tax on the revaluation surplus and interest rate derivatives, the profit for the period was GBP4.7 million, of which the Group's share was GBP0.9 million.
Big Yellow has a responsibility for operating the assets and receives a management fee from the Partnerships, which for the period to 30 September 2017 amounted to GBP0.5 million.
The Group's share of the interim dividend declared for the period is GBP0.24 million, representing a 6.3% yield on our original equity investment for the six months.
James Gibson John Trotman Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
20 November 2017
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY - BIG YELLOW STORES
2017 2016
Mature(1) Established Developing Total Mature Established Developing Total
Number of stores 67 4 2 73 67 4 2 73
--------- ----------- ---------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------- ---------
At 30 September:
Total capacity
(sq ft) 4,157,000 271,000 123,000 4,551,000 4,157,000 271,000 123,000 4,551,000
Occupied space
(sq ft) 3,503,000 228,000 85,000 3,816,000 3,307,000 211,000 55,000 3,573,000
Percentage occupied 84.3% 84.1% 69.1% 83.8% 79.6% 77.9% 44.7% 78.5%
Net rent per GBP26.45 GBP25.27 GBP18.15
sq ft GBP26.46 GBP25.92 GBP19.32 GBP26.29 GBP26.26
For the period:
REVPAF(2) GBP25.38 GBP24.50 GBP14.23 GBP25.03 GBP24.34 GBP22.09 GBP8.11 GBP23.77
Average occupancy 82.2% 81.2% 61.0% 81.5% 78.8% 74.9% 35.0% 77.4%
Average annual GBP26.21 GBP24.93 GBP18.67
rent psf GBP26.20 GBP25.69 GBP18.95 GBP26.02 GBP26.05
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Self storage
income 44,861 2,834 713 48,408 42,917 2,537 402 45,856
Other storage
related
income (3) 7,809 470 164 8,443 7,282 423 95 7,800
Ancillary store
rental
income 236 25 1 262 220 33 2 255
-------------------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Total store
revenue 52,906 3,329 878 57,113 50,419 2,993 499 53,911
Direct store
operating
costs (excluding
depreciation) (15,026) (966) (395) (16,387) (14,652) (942) (377) (15,971)
Short and long
leasehold rent(4) (1,002) - - (1,002) (1,027) - - (1,027)
-------------------- --------- ----------- ---------- --------- --------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Store EBITDA(5) 36,878 2,363 483 39,724 34,740 2,051 122 36,913
Store EBITDA
margin 69.7% 71.0% 55.0% 69.6% 68.9% 68.5% 24.4% 68.5%
Deemed cost GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
To 30 September
2017 517.8 55.2 21.0 594.0
Capex to complete - - 0.1 0.1
-------------------- --------- ----------- ---------- ---------
Total 517.8 55.2 21.1 594.1
(1) The mature stores have been open for more than six years at 1 April 2017. The established stores have been open for between three and six years at 1 April 2017 and the developing stores have been open for fewer than three years at 1 April 2017.
(2) Total store revenue divided by the average maximum lettable area in the year. (3) Packing materials, insurance and other storage related fees.
(4) Rent for seven mature short leasehold properties accounted for as investment properties and finance leases under IFRS with total self storage capacity of 420,000 sq ft, and a long leasehold mature store with a capacity of 64,000 sq ft. The EBITDA margin for the 60 freehold mature stores is 71.5%, and 52.0% for the seven leasehold mature stores.
(5) Store earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation. The table below reconciles Store EBITDA to gross profit in the income statement.
Period ended 30 September Period ended 30 September
2017 2016
GBP000 GBP000
Gross profit Gross profit
Store Reconciling per income Reconciling per income
EBITDA items statement Store EBITDA items statement
Store revenue/Revenue(1) 57,113 962 58,075 53,911 882 54,793
Cost of sales(2) (16,387) (1,201) (17,588) (15,971) (1,052) (17,023)
Rent(3) (1,002) 1,002 - (1,027) 1,027 -
--------- ------------ ------------- ------------- ------------ -------------
39,724 763 40,487 36,913 857 37,770
(1) See note 2 of the interim statement, reconciling items are management fees and non-storage income.
(2) See reconciliation in cost of sales section in Business and Financial Review.
(3) The rent shown above is the cost associated with leasehold stores, only part of which is recognised within gross profit in line with finance lease accounting principles. The amount included in gross profit is shown in the reconciling items in cost of sales.
PORTFOLIO SUMMARY - ARMADILLO STORES
2017 2016
Number of stores(1) 19 16
At 30 September:
Total capacity (sq ft) 829,000 736,000
Occupied space (sq ft) 649,000 536,000
Percentage occupied 78.3% 72.8%
Net rent per sq ft GBP16.51 GBP16.59
For the period:
REVPAF GBP15.11 GBP14.30
Average occupancy 77.0% 73.8%
Average annual rent psf GBP16.35 GBP16.14
GBP000 GBP000
Self storage income 5,237 4,333
Other storage related income 1,022 834
Ancillary store rental income 23 20
Total store revenue 6,282 5,187
Direct store operating costs (excluding
depreciation) (2,397) (2,042)
Short leasehold rent (247) (206)
Store EBITDA 3,638 2,939
Store EBITDA margin 57.9% 56.7%
GBPm
Cumulative capital expenditure
To 30 September 2017 56.3
To complete 0.4
Total capital expenditure 56.7
(1) Armadillo acquired three stores in April 2017 from Quickstore in Exeter, Torquay and Plymouth.
RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
We confirm to the best of our knowledge:
1. the condensed set of Interim Financial Statements has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial Reporting";
2. the Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the information required by DTR 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year);
3. 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); and
4. the Condensed set of financial statements, which has been prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the issuer, or the undertakings included in the consolidation as a whole as required by DTR 4.2.4R.
By order of the Board
James Gibson John Trotman Director Director
20 November 2017
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Six months ended 30 September 2017
Six months Six months
ended ended
Year ended
30 September 30 September 31 March
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
Note GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Revenue 2 58,075 54,793 109,070
Cost of sales (17,588) (17,023) (34,075)
Gross profit 40,487 37,770 74,995
Administrative expenses (5,076) (5,178) (9,679)
Operating profit before gains
and losses on property assets 35,411 32,592 65,316
Gain on the revaluation of investment
properties 9a 47,464 31,577 43,706
Gain on part disposal of investment
property 9a 650 - -
Operating profit 83,525 64,169 109,022
Share of profit of associates 9d 946 557 1,442
Investment income - interest
receivable 3 149 213 356
- fair value movement of derivatives 3 842 - 719
Finance costs - interest payable 4 (6,799) (6,220) (11,756)
* fair value movement of derivatives 4 - (971) -
Profit before taxation 78,663 57,748 99,783
Taxation 5 (302) (325) (272)
Profit for the period (attributable
to equity shareholders) 78,361 57,423 99,511
------------- ------------- -----------
Total comprehensive income for
the period attributable to equity
shareholders 78,361 57,423 99,511
------------- ------------- -----------
Basic earnings per share 8 50.0p 36.7p 63.6p
Diluted earnings per share 8 49.5p 36.5p 63.1p
Adjusted profit before taxation is shown in note 6 and EPRA earnings per share is shown in note 8.
All items in the income statement relate to continuing operations.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
30 September 2017
30 September 30 September 31 March
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
Note GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Non-current assets
Investment property 9a 1,204,710 1,139,786 1,154,390
Investment property under construction 9a 49,099 34,107 36,115
Interest in leasehold properties 9a 23,074 22,034 23,601
Plant, equipment and owner-occupied property 9b 3,135 3,484 3,216
Goodwill 9c 1,433 1,433 1,433
Investment in associates 9d 8,187 6,772 7,452
Capital Goods Scheme receivable 10 2,809 4,006 4,091
Derivative financial instruments 1,252 - -
1,293,699 1,211,622 1,230,298
Current assets
Inventories 272 280 283
Trade and other receivables 10 13,907 14,368 18,042
Cash and cash equivalents 5,484 5,862 6,906
19,663 20,510 25,231
Total assets 1,313,362 1,232,132 1,255,529
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 11 (32,648) (29,382) (36,935)
Obligations under finance leases (2,038) (1,866) (2,005)
Borrowings 12 (2,414) (2,299) (2,356)
(37,100) (33,547) (41,296)
Non-current liabilities
Derivative financial instruments - (4,654) (2,964)
Borrowings 12 (306,597) (305,514) (299,323)
Obligations under finance leases (21,036) (20,168) (21,596)
(327,633) (330,336) (323,883)
Total liabilities (364,733) (363,883) (365,179)
Net assets 948,629 868,249 890,350
------------- ------------- ----------
Equity
Called up share capital 15,848 15,777 15,788
Share premium account 46,298 45,480 45,462
Reserves 886,483 806,992 829,100
Equity shareholders' funds 948,629 868,249 890,350
------------- ------------- ----------
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
Six months ended 30 September 2017 (unaudited)
Share Other non-distributable Capital Retained
Share premium reserve redemption earnings
capital account GBP000 reserve GBP000 Own shares Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
At 1 April 2017 15,788 45,462 74,950 1,795 753,374 (1,019) 890,350
Total comprehensive
income for the period - - - - 78,361 - 78,361
Issue of share capital 60 836 - - - - 896
Credit to equity
for equity-settled
share based payments - - - - 1,129 - 1,129
Dividends - - - - (22,107) - (22,107)
At 30 September
2017 15,848 46,298 74,950 1,795 810,757 (1,019) 948,629
Six months ended 30 September 2016 (unaudited)
Share Other non-distributable Capital
Share premium reserve redemption Retained
capital account GBP000 reserve earnings Own shares Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
At 1 April 2016 15,737 45,227 74,950 1,795 692,697 (1,019) 829,387
Total comprehensive
income for the period - - - - 57,423 - 57,423
Issue of share capital 40 253 - - - - 293
Credit to equity
for equity-settled
share based payments - - - - 1,149 - 1,149
Dividends - - - - (20,003) - (20,003)
At 30 September
2016 15,777 45,480 74,950 1,795 731,266 (1,019) 868,249
Year ended 31 March 2017 (audited)
Share Other non-distributable Capital
Share premium reserve redemption Retained Own shares
capital account GBP000 reserve earnings GBP000 Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
At 1 April 2016 15,737 45,227 74,950 1,795 692,697 (1,019) 829,387
Total comprehensive
income for the year - - - - 99,511 - 99,511
Issue of share capital 51 235 - - - - 286
Credit to equity
for equity-settled
share based payments - - - - 2,324 - 2,324
Dividends - - - - (41,158) - (41,158)
At 31 March 2017 15,788 45,462 74,950 1,795 753,374 (1,019) 890,350
CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Six months ended 30 September 2017
Six months Year
Six months ended ended ended
30 September 30 September 31 March
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
Note GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Operating profit 83,525 64,169 109,022
Gain on the revaluation of investment properties (47,464) (31,577) (43,706)
Gain on part disposal of investment property (650) - -
Depreciation 9b 363 367 738
Depreciation of finance lease obligations 9a 509 557 1,196
Employee share options 1,129 1,149 2,324
Cash generated from operations (pre-working capital) 37,412 34,665 69,574
Decrease/(increase) in inventories 11 (14) (17)
Decrease/(increase) in receivables 3,229 3,475 (1,456)
Decrease in payables (5,630) (7,817) (892)
Cash generated from operations 35,022 30,309 67,209
Interest paid (4,943) (5,740) (10,980)
Interest received 5 13 16
Tax paid (221) - (271)
Cash flows from operating activities 29,863 24,582 55,974
Investing activities
Sale of surplus land - 300 300
Acquisition of Lock and Leave (net of cash acquired) - (14,239) (14,239)
Purchase of non-current assets (15,220) (2,409) (6,338)
Proceeds on part disposal of investment property 650 - -
Receipt from Capital Goods Scheme 2,332 1,605 2,917
Dividend received from associates 9d 211 191 396
Cash flows from investing activities (12,027) (14,552) (16,964)
Financing activities
Issue of share capital 896 293 286
Payment of finance lease liabilities (509) (557) (1,196)
Payment to cancel interest rate derivative (3,374) - -
Equity dividends paid (22,107) (20,003) (41,158)
Increase/(decrease) in borrowings 5,836 (1,108) (7,243)
Cash flows from financing activities (19,258) (21,375) (49,311)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents A (1,422) (11,345) (10,301)
Opening cash and cash equivalents 6,906 17,207 17,207
Closing cash and cash equivalents 5,484 5,862 6,906
---------------- ------------- ----------
A. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
Six months ended 30 September 2017
Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
30 September 30 September 31 March
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,422) (11,345) (10,301)
Cash flow from movement in debt financing (5,836) 1,108 7,243
Change in net debt resulting from
cash flows (7,258) (10,237) (3,058)
------------- ------------- ----------
Movement in net debt in the period (7,258) (10,237) (3,058)
Net debt at start of period (298,049) (294,991) (294,991)
Net debt at end of period (305,307) (305,228) (298,049)
------------- ------------- ----------
Net debt is gross bank borrowings less cash and cash equivalents, and excluding finance leases.
1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of preparation
The results for the period ended 30 September 2017 are unaudited and were approved by the Board on 20 November 2017. The financial information contained in this report in respect of the year ended 31 March 2017 does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. A copy of the statutory accounts for that year has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditor's report on those accounts was not qualified, did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying the report and did not contain statements under section 498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
The annual financial statements of Big Yellow Group PLC are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRSs") as adopted by the European Union. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standards 34 "Interim Financial Reporting", as adopted by the European Union. The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are followed in the condensed set of financial statements as applied in the Group's latest annual audited financial statements.
Valuation of assets and liabilities held at fair value
For those financial instruments held at fair value, the Group has categorised them into a three level fair value hierarchy based on the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique in accordance with IFRS 13. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument in its entirety. The fair value of the Group's outstanding interest rate derivatives has been estimated by calculating the present value of future cash flows, using appropriate market discount rates, representing Level 2 fair value measurements as defined by IFRS 13. Investment Property and Investment Property under Construction have been classified as Level 3. This is discussed further in note 14.
Going concern
A review of the Group's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position, is set out in the Chairman's Statement and the Business and Financial Review. The financial position of the Group, its cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are shown in the balance sheet, cash flow statement and accompanying notes to the interim statement. Further information concerning the Group's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk can be found in the Strategic Report within the Group's Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017.
The Directors have considered carefully the Group's trading performance and cash flows in the context of the uncertain global economic environment, Brexit and the other principal risks to the Group's performance. After reviewing Group and Company cash balances, projected cash flows, and the borrowing facilities available to the Group, the Directors believe that the Group and Company have adequate resources to continue operations for the foreseeable future. In reaching this conclusion, the Directors have carefully considered the Group's operating plan and budget and projections contained in the detailed longer term business plan. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the half year report.
2. SEGMENTAL INFORMATION
Revenue represents amounts derived from the provision of self storage accommodation and related services which fall within the Group's ordinary activities after deduction of trade discounts and value added tax. The Group's net assets, revenue and profit before tax are attributable to one activity, the provision of self storage accommodation and related services. These all arise in the United Kingdom.
Six months
ended Year ended
30 September Six months 31 March
2017 ended 2017
30 September
(unaudited) 2016 (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Open stores
Self storage income 48,408 45,856 91,600
Other storage related income 8,443 7,800 15,189
Ancillary store rental income 262 255 526
57,113 53,911 107,315
Other revenue
Non-storage income 456 448 885
Management fees 506 434 870
Total revenue 58,075 54,793 109,070
--------------- ------------------- -----------
Non-storage income derives principally from rental income earned from tenants of properties awaiting development.
Further analysis of the Group's operating revenue and costs are in the Portfolio Summary and the Business and Financial Review.
The seasonality of the business is discussed in note 17.
3. INVESTMENT INCOME
Six months Year ended
Six months
ended 30 September ended 30 September 31 March
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Bank interest receivable 5 13 16
Unwinding of discount on Capital
Goods Scheme receivable 144 200 340
------------------- ------------------- ----------
Total interest receivable 149 213 356
Fair value movement on derivatives 842 - 719
------------------- ------------------- ----------
Total investment income 991 213 1,075
------------------- ------------------- ----------
4. FINANCE COSTS
Six months Year ended
Six months
ended 30 September ended 30 September 31 March
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Interest on bank borrowings 4,951 5,750 10,953
Capitalised interest (170) - (128)
Interest on finance lease obligations 492 470 931
------------------- ------------------- ----------
Total interest payable 5,273 6,220 11,756
Refinancing costs 1,526 - -
Change in fair value of interest
rate derivatives - 971 -
Total finance costs 6,799 7,191 11,756
The refinancing costs relate to the unamortised loan arrangement costs of the previous bank facility which was extinguished, and the write-off of the costs of the new bank facility in accordance with IAS 39.
5. TAXATION
The Group converted to a REIT in January 2007. As a result, the Group does not pay UK corporation tax on the profits and gains from its qualifying rental business in the UK if it meets certain conditions. Non-qualifying profits and gains of the Group are subject to corporation tax as normal. The Group monitors its compliance with the REIT conditions. There have been no breaches of the conditions to date.
Six months Year ended
Six months
ended 30 ended 30
September September 31 March
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Current tax:
- Current year 315 325 417
- Prior year (13) - (145)
------------
302 325 272
------------ ------------- ----------
6. ADJUSTED PROFIT BEFORE TAX
Six months
ended Year ended
Six months
ended 30 September 31 March
30 September
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Profit before tax 78,663 57,748 99,783
Gain on revaluation of investment properties
- Group (47,464) (31,577) (43,706)
- associates (net of deferred
tax) (716) (267) (756)
Change in fair value of interest rate
derivatives - Group (842) 971 (719)
-
associates (36) 54 8
Gain on part disposal of investment
property (650) - -
Acquisition costs written off - 296 296
Prior period VAT recovery - (328) (328)
Share of associate acquisition costs
written off 73 61 63
Refinancing costs 1,526 - -
Adjusted profit before tax 30,554 26,958 54,641
-------------- ------------- ----------
Tax (302) (325) (272)
-------------- ------------- ----------
Adjusted profit after tax (EPRA earnings) 30,252 26,633 54,369
-------------- ------------- ----------
Adjusted profit before tax, which excludes the revaluation of investment properties, changes in fair value of interest rate derivatives, net gains and losses on disposals, and any non-recurring items of income and expenditure, has been disclosed to give a clearer understanding of the Group's underlying trading performance.
7. DIVIDS
Six months Six months
ended ended
30 September 30 September
2017 2016
(unaudited) (unaudited)
GBP000 GBP000
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity
holders in the period:
Final dividend for the year ended 31 March
2017 of 14.1p (2016: 12.8p) per share 22,107 20,003
Proposed interim dividend for the year ending
31 March 2018 of 15.3p (2017: 13.5p) per
share 24,076 21,155
------------- -------------
The proposed interim dividend of 15.3 pence per ordinary share will be paid to shareholders on 5 January 2018. The ex-div date is 7 December 2017 and the record date is 8 December 2017. The interim dividend is all Property Income Dividend.
8. EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE
The European Public Real Estate Association ("EPRA") has issued recommended bases for the calculation of certain per share information and these are included in the following table.
Six months ended Six months ended Year ended
30 September 2017 (unaudited) 30 September 2016 (unaudited) 31 March 2017 (audited)
Earnings Shares Pence Earnings Shares Pence Earnings Shares Pence
GBPm million per share GBPm million per share GBPm million per share
Basic 78.4 156.9 50.0 57.4 156.3 36.7 99.5 156.5 63.6
Dilutive share
options - 1.4 (0.5) - 1.1 (0.2) - 1.2 (0.5)
Diluted 78.4 158.3 49.5 57.4 157.4 36.5 99.5 157.7 63.1
Adjustments:
Gain on
revaluation of
investment
properties (47.5) - (30.0) (31.6) - (20.1) (43.7) - (27.7)
Gain on part
disposal of
investment
property (0.6) - (0.4) - - - - - -
Change in fair
value of
interest rate
derivatives (0.8) - (0.5) 1.0 - 0.6 (0.7) - (0.4)
Acquisition
costs written
off - - - 0.3 - 0.2 0.3 - 0.2
Prior period VAT
recovery - - - (0.3) - (0.2) (0.3) - (0.2)
Refinancing
costs 1.5 - 0.9 - - - - - -
Share of
associates'
non-recurring
gains and
losses (0.7) - (0.4) (0.2) - (0.1) (0.7) - (0.5)
EPRA - diluted 30.3 158.3 19.1 26.6 157.4 16.9 54.4 157.7 34.5
EPRA - basic 30.3 156.9 19.3 26.6 156.3 17.0 54.4 156.5 34.8
----------- -------- ----------- ----------- -------- ----------- -------- ------- ---------
The calculation of basic earnings is based on profit after tax for the period. The weighted average number of shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share has been adjusted for the conversion of potentially dilutive share options.
EPRA earnings per ordinary share, before the revaluation of investment properties, gains and losses on disposal of assets, the change in fair value of interest rate derivatives, one-off items of expenditure, and the Group's share of its associates' one-off items of expenditure, derivative and revaluation movements, has been disclosed to give a clearer understanding of the Group's underlying trading performance.
9. NON-CURRENT ASSETS
a) Investment property
Investment Interest in
Investment property under leasehold
property construction properties Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
At 1 April 2017 1,154,390 36,115 23,601 1,214,106
Additions 2,313 13,527 - 15,840
Adjustment to present value - - (18) (18)
Revaluation 48,007 (543) - 47,464
Depreciation - - (509) (509)
At 30 September 2017 1,204,710 49,099 23,074 1,276,883
------------ --------------- ----------- ---------
Capital commitments at 30 September 2017 were GBP6.5 million (31 March 2017: GBP8.6 million).
During the period the Group sold land at its Richmond store to an adjoining landowner for GBP650,000. The valuation of the store was not impacted by this disposal, hence the full proceeds have been recorded as profit on part disposal of investment property. This has been eliminated from the Group's adjusted profit for the period.
b) Plant, equipment and owner-occupied property
Fixtures,
Leasehold fittings and
improve-ments Plant and office equipment
Freehold property GBP000 machinery Motor vehicles GBP000 Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Cost
At 1 April 2017 2,189 97 649 32 1,431 4,398
Additions - 7 65 - 210 282
Retirement of
fully depreciated
assets - (30) (17) - (170) (217)
At 30 September
2017 2,189 74 697 32 1,471 4,463
Accumulated
depreciation
At 1 April 2017 (409) (50) (265) (7) (451) (1,182)
Charge for the
period (21) (1) (60) (4) (277) (363)
Retirement of
fully depreciated
assets - 30 17 - 170 217
------------------ ----------- ---------------- ----------------- --------
At 30 September
2017 (430) (21) (308) (11) (558) (1,328)
Net book value
------------------ ------------------ ----------- ---------------- ----------------- --------
At 30 September
2017 1,759 53 389 21 913 3,135
At 31 March 2017 1,780 47 384 25 980 3,216
c) Goodwill
Goodwill relates to the purchase of Big Yellow Self Storage Company Limited in 1999. The asset is tested annually for impairment or more frequently if there are indicators of impairment. The carrying value of GBP1.4 million remains unchanged from the prior year as there is considered to be no indication of impairment in the value of the asset.
d) Investment in associates
Armadillo Partnerships
The Group has a 20% interest in Armadillo Storage Holding Company Limited ("Armadillo 1") and a 20% interest in Armadillo Storage Holding Company 2 Limited ("Armadillo 2"). Both interests are accounted for as associates, using the equity method of accounting.
Armadillo 1 Armadillo 2
30 September 2017 30 September 2016 31 March 30 September 2017 30 September 2016 31
(unaudited) (unaudited) 2017 (unaudited) (unaudited) March
GBP000 GBP000 (audited) GBP000 GBP000 2017
GBP000 (audited)
GBP000
At the beginning
of the period 5,048 4,173 4,173 2,404 2,233 2,233
Share of results
(see below) 598 273 1,093 348 284 349
Dividends (120) (104) (218) (91) (87) (178)
At the end of the
period 5,526 4,342 5,048 2,661 2,430 2,404
----------------- ----------------- ---------- ----------------- ----------------- ----------
The Group's total subscription for partnership capital and advances in Armadillo 1 is GBP1,920,000 and GBP1,789,000 in Armadillo 2.
On 26 October 2017, Armadillo 1 declared an interim dividend of GBP675,000 and Armadillo 2 declared an interim dividend of GBP500,000, of which the Group's share is GBP135,000 and GBP100,000 respectively
The figures below show the trading results of the Armadillo Partnerships, and the Group's share of the results and the net assets.
Armadillo 1 Armadillo 2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Six months ended 30 September 2017 Six months ended 30 September 2016 Six months ended 30 September 2017 Six months ended 30 September 2016
(unaudited) (unaudited) Year ended (unaudited) (unaudited) Year ended
GBP000 GBP000 31 March GBP000 GBP000 31 March
2017 2017
(audited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000
Income
statement
(100%)
Revenue 4,059 3,098 6,324 2,223 2,088 4,159
Cost of sales (2,138) (1,606) (3,270) (996) (925) (1,763)
Administrative
expenses (107) (34) (207) (50) (50) (88)
Operating
profit 1,814 1,458 2,847 1,177 1,113 2,308
Gain on the
revaluation of
investment
properties 3,001 639 3,725 1,309 986 322
Net interest
payable (452) (350) (718) (330) (387) (729)
Acquisition
costs written
off (366) (303) (316) - - -
Fair value
movement of
interest rate
derivatives 89 (98) 8 91 (173) (49)
Current and
deferred tax (1,100) 20 (78) (503) (120) (109)
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- -----------
Profit
attributable
to
shareholders 2,986 1,366 5,468 1,744 1,419 1,743
Dividends paid (600) (520) (1,091) (456) (434) (890)
Retained profit 2,386 846 4,377 1,288 985 853
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- -----------
Balance sheet
(100%)
Investment
property 51,416 39,442 43,375 27,274 25,979 25,900
Interest in
leasehold
properties 1,421 - - 3,381 3,668 3,526
Other
non-current
assets 1,156 1,552 1,125 1,503 1,487 1,487
Current assets 1,432 823 1,177 579 890 867
Current
liabilities (2,743) (1,613) (1,895) (1,746) (1,663) (1,821)
Derivative
financial
instruments (110) (305) (199) (97) (312) (188)
Non-current
liabilities (24,944) (18,188) (18,341) (17,588) (17,899) (17,753)
Net assets
(100%) 27,628 21,711 25,242 13,306 12,150 12,018
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- -----------
Group share
(20%)
Operating
profit 363 292 569 235 222 462
Gain on the
revaluation of
investment
properties 600 128 745 262 197 64
Net interest
payable (90) (70) (144) (66) (77) (146)
Acquisition
costs written
off (73) (61) (63) - - -
Fair value
movement of
interest rate
derivatives 18 (20) 2 18 (34) (10)
Current and
deferred tax (220) 4 (16) (101) (24) (21)
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- -----------
Profit
attributable
to
shareholders 598 273 1,093 348 284 349
Dividends paid (120) (104) (218) (91) (87) (178)
Retained profit 478 169 875 257 197 171
Associates' net
assets 5,526 4,342 5,048 2,661 2,430 2,404
---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- ----------- ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- -----------
10. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
30 September 30 September 31 March
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Current
Trade receivables 3,978 3,431 3,174
Capital Goods Scheme receivable 1,819 3,978 2,725
Other receivables 354 213 266
Prepayments and accrued income 7,756 6,746 11,877
13,907 14,368 18,042
------------ ------------- ----------
Non-current
------------ ------------- ----------
Capital Goods Scheme receivable 2,809 4,006 4,091
------------ ------------- ----------
11. TRADE AND OTHER PAYABLES
30 September 30 September 31 March
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Current
Trade payables 6,505 5,722 13,279
Other payables 9,331 8,503 8,352
Accruals and deferred income 16,812 15,157 15,304
32,648 29,382 36,935
------------ ------------ ----------
12. BORROWINGS
30 September 30 September 31 March
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Aviva loan 2,414 2,299 2,356
Current borrowings 2,414 2,299 2,356
Aviva loan 86,377 88,791 145,000
M&G loan 70,000 70,000 87,599
Bank borrowings 152,000 150,000 70,000
Unamortised debt arrangement costs (1,780) (3,277) (3,276)
Non-current borrowings 306,597 305,514 299,323
Total borrowings 309,011 307,813 301,679
------------ ------------- ----------
The Group does not hedge account for its interest rate swaps and states them at fair value, with changes in fair value included in the income statement. The gain in the income statement for the period of these interest rate swaps was GBP842,000 (2016: loss of GBP971,000). During the period, the Group cancelled an interest rate derivative at a cost of GBP3.4 million. At 30 September 2017 the Group and the Armadillo Partnerships were in compliance with all loan covenants.
13. ADJUSTED NET ASSETS PER SHARE
30 September 31 March
2017 30 September 2017
(unaudited) 2016 (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Basic net asset value 948,629 868,249 890,350
Exercise of share options 1,105 884 820
-------------- ------------------ --------------
EPRA NNNAV 949,734 869,133 891,170
-------------- ------------------ --------------
Adjustments:
Fair value of derivatives (1,252) 4,654 2,964
Fair value of derivatives - share
of associates 41 123 77
Share of deferred tax on revaluations
in associates 772 631 626
EPRA NAV 949,295 874,541 894,837
-------------- ------------------ --------------
Basic net assets per share (pence) 602.8 554.3 568.0
EPRA NNNAV per share (pence) 595.8 548.6 562.1
EPRA NAV per share (pence) 595.5 552.0 564.4
EPRA NAV (GBP000) 949,295 874,541 894,837
Valuation methodology assumption
(GBP000) (see note 14) 72,181 66,674 68,530
Adjusted net asset value (GBP000) 1,021,476 941,215 963,367
Adjusted net assets per share
(pence) 640.8 594.1 607.6
No. of No. of shares
No. of shares shares
Shares in issue 158,480,574 157,765,696 157,882,867
Own shares held in EBT (1,122,907) (1,122,907) (1,122,907)
-------------- ------------------ --------------
Basic shares in issue used for
calculation 157,357,667 156,642,789 156,759,960
Exercise of share options 2,056,268 1,797,279 1,781,652
-------------- ------------------ --------------
Diluted shares used for calculation 159,413,935 158,440,068 158,541,612
Basic net assets per share are shareholders' funds divided by the number of shares at the period end. Any shares currently held in the Group's Employee Benefit Trust are excluded from both net assets and the number of shares.
Adjusted net assets per share include:
-- the effect of those shares issuable under employee share option schemes; and
-- the effect of alternative valuation methodology assumptions (see note 14).
14. VALUATIONS OF INVESTMENT PROPERTY
The Group has classified the fair value investment property and the investment property under construction within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. There has been no transfer to or from Level 3 in the period.
The freehold and leasehold investment properties have been valued at 30 September 2017 by the Directors. The valuation has been carried out in accordance with the same methodology as the year end valuations prepared by Cushman & Wakefield LLP. Please see the accounts for the year ended 31 March 2017 for details of this methodology.
The Directors' valuations reflect the latest cash flows derived from each of the stores at the end of September. In performing the valuations, the Directors consulted with C&W on the capitalisation rates used in the valuations in light of a number of self storage transactions that had taken place in the market in the past six months. The Directors consider that capitalisation rates for London and South East freehold self storage centres have reduced by 15 bps since the start of the financial year. C&W support this view. This cap rate reduction has therefore been applied to the September valuation for the applicable stores.
The Directors consider that the other core assumptions underpinning the valuations including the stabilised occupancy assumptions used, rental growth, and discount rates used by C&W in the March 2017 valuations are still appropriate at the September valuation date.
Valuation assumption for purchaser's costs
The Group's investment property assets have been valued for the purposes of the financial statements after deducting notional purchaser's cost of circa 6.1% to 6.8% of gross value, as if they were sold directly as property assets. The valuation is an asset valuation that is entirely linked to the operating performance of the business. The assets would have to be sold with the benefit of operational contracts, employment contracts and customer contracts, which would be very difficult to achieve except in a corporate structure.
This approach follows the logic of the valuation methodology in that the valuation is based on a capitalisation of the net operating income after allowing for the deduction of operational costs and an allowance for central administration costs. Sale in a corporate structure would result in a reduction in the assumed Stamp Duty Land Tax but an increase in other transaction costs, reflecting additional due diligence, resulting in a reduced notional purchaser's cost of 2.75% of gross value. All the significant sized transactions that have been concluded in the UK in recent years were completed in a corporate structure. The Directors have therefore carried out a valuation on the above basis, and this results in a higher property valuation at 30 September 2017 of GBP1,325.1 million (GBP71.3 million higher than the value recorded in the financial statements). The valuations in the Armadillo Partnerships are GBP4.5 million higher than the value recorded in the financial statements, of which the Group's share is GBP0.9 million. The sum of these is GBP72.2 million and translates to 45.3 pence per share. We have included this revised valuation in the adjusted diluted net asset calculation (see note 13).
15. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS FAIR VALUE DISCLOSURES
The table below sets out the categorisation of the financial instruments held by the Group at 30 September 2017. Where the financial instruments are held at fair value the valuation level indicates the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique. The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Valuations categorised as Level 2 are obtained from third parties. If the inputs used to measure fair value fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the category level is based on the lowest priority level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the instrument in its entirety.
30 September
2017
(unaudited)
Valuation
level GBP000
Interest rate derivatives 2 1,252
16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed in this note.
AnyJunk Limited
James Gibson is a Non-Executive Director and shareholder in AnyJunk Limited, and Adrian Lee is a shareholder in AnyJunk Limited. During the period AnyJunk Limited provided waste disposal services to the Group on normal commercial terms amounting to GBP14,000.
Transactions with Armadillo
As described in note 9d, the Group has a 20% interest in Armadillo Storage Holding Company Limited and a 20% interest in Armadillo Storage Holding Company 2 Limited, and entered into transactions with the Companies during the period on normal commercial terms as shown in the table below.
31 March
30 September 30 September
2017 2016 2017
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Fees earned from Armadillo 1 374 306 574
Fees earned from Armadillo 2 132 128 253
Balance due from Armadillo 1 100 73 86
Balance due from Armadillo 2 15 20 48
17. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES
The operational risks facing the Group for the remaining six months of the financial year are consistent with those outlined in the Annual Report for the year ended 31 March 2017. The outlook for the housing market and the economy remains uncertain given the ongoing discussions on Brexit. The risk mitigating factors listed in the 2017 Annual Report are still appropriate.
The value of Big Yellow's property portfolio is affected by the conditions prevailing in the property investment market and the general economic environment. Accordingly, the Group's net asset value can rise and fall due to external factors beyond management's control. The uncertainties in the global economy look set to continue. We have a high quality prime portfolio of assets that should help to mitigate the impact of this on the Group.
Self storage is a seasonal business, and over the last five years we have seen losses in occupancy of c. 2-4 ppts in the December quarter. The New Year typically sees an increase in activity, occupancy and revenue growth. The visibility we have in the business is relatively limited at three to four weeks and is based on the net reservations we have in hand, which are currently in line with our expectations.
There is a risk that our customers may default on their rent payments, however we have not seen an increase in bad debts over the past ten years since the start of the Global Financial Crisis. We have 56,000 customers and this, coupled with the diversity of their reasons for using storage, mean the risk of individual tenant default to Big Yellow is low. Over 80% of our customers pay by direct debit and we take a deposit from all customers. Furthermore, we have a right of lien over customers' goods, so in the ultimate event of default, we are able to auction the goods to recover the debts.
INDEPENT REVIEW REPORT TO BIG YELLOW GROUP PLC
Conclusion
We have been engaged by the company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 30 September 2017 which comprises the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and the related explanatory notes.
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 2017 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules ("the DTR") of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ("the UK FCA").
Scope of review
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. We read the other information contained in the half-yearly financial report and consider whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.
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.
Directors' responsibilities
The half-yearly financial report is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the DTR of the UK FCA.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU. The directors are responsible for preparing the condensed set of financial statements included in the half-yearly financial report in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU.
Our responsibility
Our responsibility is to express to the company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report based on our review.
The purpose of our review work and to whom we owe our responsibilities
This report is made solely to the company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the company in meeting the requirements of the DTR of the UK FCA. Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.
Steve Masters
for and on behalf of KPMG LLP
Chartered Accountants
KPMG LLP
Arlington Business Park
Theale
Reading
RG7 4SD
20 November 2017
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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