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DIWO Direct Wonen

25.25
0.00 (0.00%)
17 May 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Direct Wonen LSE:DIWO London Ordinary Share NL0000817377 ORD EUR0.02 (DI)
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 25.25 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Interim Results

26/09/2008 7:00am

UK Regulatory


    RNS Number : 3654E
  Direct Wonen N.V.
  26 September 2008
   



 For Immediate Release  26 Sept 2008

    DIRECT WONEN N.V.
    ('Direct Wonen' the 'Company' or the 'Group')

    Interim Results for the period ended 30 June 2008

    After restructuring back on track in 2009

    Direct Wonen (AIM, DIWO), the Property and Financial Services provider based in the Netherlands, today announces interim results for the
period ended 30 June 2008. 

    Key Points

 -         Revenue decreased 35% to EUR 14.2 million (H1 2007: EUR 21.8 million)
                                                                                
           - Low New Property Sales - EUR 0.3 million (H1 2007: EUR 9.0 million)

 -    EBITA a loss of EUR 1.7 million compared to a profit of EUR 8.6 million in
     H1 2007, due to reduced new property sales, increased costs and exceptional
                       items of EUR 2.1 million including rationalisation costs 

 -  Property Lettings revenue increased 13% to EUR 6.5 million (H1 2007: EUR 5.8
                  million) with a positive contribution from recent acquisitions

 -    New Property Sales revenues (performing well in recent years with a proven
            concept and excellent performance) were extremely low due to lack of
                                     projects meeting the Group's high standards

 -  Financial Services revenue increased 5% to EUR 7.3 million (H1 2007: EUR 7.0
          million) due to the stable and good performance of the Acadium Bastion
    Group, contribution from recent acquisitions and despite unfavourable market
                conditions and write downs (mainly related to Direct Hypotheken)

 -         Direct Hypotheken has been discontinued, with all mortgage activities
      combined within Acadium Bastion and restructuring costs taken in the first
                                                                    half of 2008

 -     Expenses (including head office) increased by 61% to EUR 15.9 million (H1
                   2007: EUR 9.9 million) following acquisitions, an increase in
                                  staff/consultancy costs and exceptional items 

 -                               Strong total equity amounts to EUR 77.7 million

 -   An interim dividend of 0.41 pence per share will be paid on 23 October 2008
     to shareholders on the register on 9 October 2008 and with ex dividend date
                                                               of 7 October 2008


    Commenting on the results, CEO Yvonne Swaans said:

    " H1 2008 has been a period in which we refocused in light of the changed market circumstances. However our two strong pillars Property
Lettings and Acadium Bastion Group continued to deliver a decent performance, particularly in light of the difficult business environment. 


    Our New Property Sales operations suffered from a lack of high quality projects. This had a sharp negative impact on the half year
results. However new projects are currently being negotiated.

    It is regretful that the high expectations for Direct Hypotheken have not materialised. Since the credit crunch market conditions have
deteriorated and gave a new entrant no chance to establish a position in the market. As a result we decided to discontinue the activities,
taking one off costs, that had a negative effect on the H1 2008 results.

    Newly acquired business in consumer credit products and services contributed to revenue and are now well integrated in the Group
activities.
       
    Cooperation between various entities has been recently strengthened to achieve more synergies and cost savings. In addition Direct Wonen
launched a project to rationalise expenses and integrate activities. The project will be completed by the end of the year.

    2008 is a year of restructuring the organisation and business to prepare for the future. We appreciate the performance of our smaller
but motivated and dedicated team. Together with the new composition of the Board and a new focus on responsibilities we are confident that
the Group will be better positioned to face future challenges and further grow the business."

    For more information please contact:
 Direct Wonen      Tel +31(0)70 711 5691
 Irma de Jong      i.dejong@directwonen.nl
 www.
 directwonencorpo
 rate.com






    About Direct Wonen 

    Direct Wonen is a residential property and financial services provider based in The Netherlands.

    The Direct Wonen group of companies operates three complementary business lines:

    - Residential Property Letting services
    - New Property Sales services
    - Financial services; intermediary promoting mortgages, consumer loans and Golden
      handshakes products

    All three business lines utilise Direct Wonen's database of individuals looking for housing, landlords and property developers. In 2007
www.directwonen.nl had a total of approximately 1,025,000 registered users and approximately 3.1 million unique visitors. The Direct Wonen
group of companies has a network of 26 regional offices.

    Direct Wonen was formed in 1990 and has been listed on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange since 1 May
2007.

    Business Overview

    Property Lettings Services : 

 -   2008 H1 revenue increased 13% to EUR 6.5 million (H1 2007: EUR 5.8 million)

 -   The number of subscribers to the lettings services increased 4% compared to
    the same period in 2007, with a strong shift towards internet subscriptions 

 -    Average letting charges increased by 5% with the volume of transactions at
                          similar levels as in the corresponding period in 2007 

 -   Profit before tax of EUR 0.2 million (H1 2007 : Profit EUR 2.3 million) was
     mainly due to the high (head office) cost base and exceptional items of EUR
                                                                    0.5 million 

 -  On line visits to our web portals increased with 22% from 2.5 million to 3.0
                                                                         million

 -  The Business model of Lettings in Amsterdam had to be restructured following
          strict regulations from the municipality which had an initial negative
                                                               effect on revenue


    Trading throughout our national network of 23 rental branches, together with our web-portal www.directwonen.nl, was broadly flat
compared to H1 in 2007. The reduction in revenue in our existing business, was caused by reduced turnover following the restructuring
activities in Amsterdam and an exceptional charge of EUR 0.5 million.
    Our focus on higher quality accommodation from landlords, combined with stricter regulations from certain municipalities (e.g.
Amsterdam) reduced the number of lettings by 7%. However the dedicated teams and focus from management have increased the number and quality
of accommodations which resulted in an average increase of letting charges of 4%.

    The acquisition of Kamernet.nl, the market leader in consumer-to-consumer accommodation for students and low value lettings in the
Netherlands, has enabled the Group to further strengthen its dominant position in the letting market. A focused marketing campaign resulted
in a 9% increase of website visits to 4.1 million and a 31% rise of transactions compared to H1 2007. The number of rooms offered increased
by 11%. 

    GIS apartments has been integrated in our rental branch office in Amsterdam and we expect to see further benefits from increased
synergy, operational efficiency and good cooperation with relocators. The intensive cooperation with a relocation company from March 2008,
contributed to the revenue and profit of the lettings divisions. 

    Outlook:

    Our strong database and brand, further growth of our network (fast growing town of Almere, August 2008), together with the full spectrum
of letting activities - from low end to luxury - places the Company in a good position to further grow the business. Together with the cost
reductions, increased synergies and an operational efficiency plan we are confident that profitability will improve in the near term.

    New Property Sales Services: 

    - Revenue of EUR 0.3 million (H1 2007: EUR 9.0 million)

    - Operating profit of EUR 0.0 million (H1 2007: EUR 3.4 million)

    As previously indicated, the New Build Property market has been challenging. Despite early indications at the beginning of this
financial year that market conditions were improving, this has not yet resulted in good quality projects that could be acquired by  Direct
Wonen. 

    Having sold the largest part of the Statendam properties in 2007, the last remaining 9 properties were sold in the first half of 2008. 

    Following tight controls on cost, no losses are reported.

    Outlook:

    Management remains confident about the future success of the business model with several projects in the pipeline which are currently
being negotiated. 
    The sale process of phase 7 of Funenpark (consisting of 10 properties) has recently started and will positively contribute to the
results of H2 2008. 


    Financial Services:

    - Revenue increased with 5% to EUR 7.3 million (H1 2007: EUR 7.0 million)

    - Existing business was effected by the exceptional items for the discontinuation of Direct 
      Hypotheken activities and restructuring costs amounted to EUR 1.6 million 

    - Acadium Bastion Group has continued it's good performance, leveraging their 
      outstanding knowledge base and strong customer network 

    - A loss before tax of EUR 2.2 million (H1 2007: Profit EUR 2.6 million) effected by the 
      high cost (head office) base and exceptional items of EUR 1.6 million

    The Financial Services division suffered from the adverse negative market conditions. The Dutch mortgage market saw rising interest
rates, tighter bank lending conditions and a number of foreign providers that have left the market. The mortgage market decreased by 13%
compared to H1 2007. Combined with decreasing consumer confidence the business environment has further deteriorated.

    Acadium Bastion Group, representing the majority of Financial Services, performed well, particularly in light of the harsh business
environment. With its proxies for a life insurance product with one of the leading Dutch insurance companies and its strong position at the
top end of the market it ensures a continuing flow of stable revenues and income. Excluding the one-off revenues in H1 2007, its revenue
growth was 16%. 

    Geldshop, the on-line consumer loans business, produced a stable result. The integration of Geldshop and Geldlenen has been successfully
completed and will show improved results in the second half of 2008.
    The Direct Hypotheken activities have been dissolved and restructuring costs taken. This caused a significant one off effect on revenue
and profit, but will enable the business to focus on its core activities.

    Outlook:

    As previously announced, in light of the current market circumstances, a rationalization plan is being carried out that is expected to
be completed by the end of 2008. Relevant existing operations are being combined to optimise efficiency improvements and create synergy
opportunities through cooperation of the different units and improved use of database information.  




    Condensed consolidated interim financial statements
    for the six month period ended 30 June 2008

    Condensed consolidated interim income statements
    for the six month period ended 30 June 2008 
 In thousands of euros               30 June 2008      30 June 2007
                                                     
 Revenue                                   14,156            21,772
 Cost of sales                                239             3,596
 Gross profit                              13,917            18,176
                                                        
 Other income                                  16                 -
 Administrative expenses                    9,091             5,310
 Other expenses                             6,783             4,554
 Profit from operations                   (1,941)             8,312
                                                        
 Finance income                               905               830
 Finance expenses                         (1,159)           (2,839)
 Profit before tax                        (2,195)             6,303
                                                        
 Tax                                          307           (1,196)
 Gross profit                             (1,888)             5,107
                                                        
 Earnings per share after tax (EUR)                     
 - Basic earnings per share                (0,01)              0,09



    Condensed consolidated interim balance sheet
    at 30 June 2008 
 In thousands of euros                  30 June 2008      31 December 2007
                                                        
 Assets                                                    
 Intangible assets                            43,024                30,244
 Property, plant and equipment                 3,238                 2,832
 Investments in associates                         -                    33
 Financial fixed assets                        5,849                 5,963
 Total non-current assets                     52,111                39,072
                                                           
 Inventories and work in progress                 63                   736
 Current tax assets                              465                   194
 Trade and other receivables                  21,621                22,860
 Other financial assets                        6,654                     -
 Cash and cash equivalents                    58,391                56,203
 Total current assets                         87,194                79,993
                                                           
 TOTAL ASSETS                                139,305               119,065
                                                           
 Capital and reserves attributable to                      
 equity holders of the company                             
 Share capital                                 3,148                 3,148
 Share premium                                53,468                53,468
 Retained earnings                            21,099                22,987
 TOTAL EQUITY                                 77,715                79,603
                                                           
 Liabilities                                               
 Non-current liabilities                                   
 loans and borrowings                         15,980                     -
 Deferred tax liabilities                        413                   661
 Provisions                                   11,085                 5,827
 Total Non-current liabilities                27,478                 6,488
                                                           
 Current liabilities                                       
 loans and borrowings                         19,353                   257
 Trade and other payables                     14,759                32,717
 Total current liabilities                    34,112                32,974
                                                           
 TOTAL LIABILITIES                            61,590                39,462
                                                           
 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES                139,305               119,065


    Condensed consolidated interim statements of changes in equity
    for the six month period ended 30 June 2008 
                               Share         Share         Merger        Retained    
 In thousands of euros         capital      premium        reserve       earnings        Total
                                                                                     
 Position on 1 January 2007         45        48,000      (221,220)        10,448      (162,727)
                                                                                     
 Profit (loss) of the period         -             -              -         5,107          5,107
 Gross profit                        -             -              -         5,107          5,107
                                                                                     
 Other equity changes                                                                
 Share issues                    3,103        56,648              -             -         59,751
 Capital contribution                -             -        196,076             -        196,076
 Repayment of share premium          -      (22,157)              -             -       (22,157)
 Write off of merger reserve         -      (25,144)         25,144             -              -
 Total changes                   3,103         9,347        221,220             -        233,670
                                                                                     
 At 30 June 2007                 3,148        57,347              -        15,555         76,050
                                                                                     
 At 1 January 2008               3,148        53,468              -        22,987         79,603
                                                                                     
 Profit (loss) of the period         -             -              -       (1,888)        (1,888)
 Gross profit                        -             -              -       (1,888)        (1,888)
                                                                                     
 At 30June 2008                  3,148        53,468              -        21,099         77,715

    Condensed consolidated interim statements of cash flows
    for the six month period ended 30 June 2008 

 In thousands of euros                          30 June 2008      30 June 2007
                                                                   
 Operating activities                                              
 Profit for the period                               (2,195)             6,303
 Adjustments for:                                                  
 Depreciation Property, plant and equipment              643               318
 Amortisation Intangible assets                          228                 -
 Finance income                                        (905)             (830)
 Finance cost                                          1,159             2,839
                                                     (1,070)             8,630
                                                                
 Change in inventories                                   673               749
 Change in trade and other receivables               (5,416)           (4,587)
 Change in trade and other payables                  (6,968)               549
 Change in provisions                                  5,258             (489)
                                                     (7,523)             4,852
                                                                   
 Income taxes paid                                     (212)                 -
 Cash flows from operating activities                (7,736)             4,852
                                                                   
 Investing activities                                              
 Acquisition of subsidiaries, net of cash           (14,087)                 -
 acquired                                                       
 Purchase of fixed assets                            (1,048)             (469)
 divestments in equity accounted investees                33                 -
 Loan to accounted investees                             114                 -
 Interest received                                       905               391
 Subtotal investing activities                      (14,083)              (78)
                                                                   
 Financing activities                                              
 Proceeds from the issue of share capital                  -            58,631
 Bank borrowing advances                              35,078                 -
 Bank borrowing repayments                                 -           (1,265)
 Interest paid                                         (721)                 -
 Repayment of share premium to shareholders          (9,912)                 -
 Subtotal financing activities                        24,445            57,366
                                                                   
 Increase in cash and cash equivalents                 2,626           62,140 
                                                                   
 Net foreign exchange gain/(loss)                      (438)                 -
 Cash and cash equivalents at the the                 56,203            15,275
 beginning of the period                                        
 Cash and cash equivalents at the the end of          58,391            77,415
 the period                                                     

    Notes to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements
    for the six month period ended 30 June 2008 

    1.       Basis of preparation

    The condensed financial statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with International Financial Reporting
Standards and in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 Interim Financial Reporting.

    2.       Significant accounting policies

    The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 
31 December 2007, as described in those annual financial statements except for the Financial Fixed Assets as stated below. 

    Financial fixed assets
    Investments are recognised and derecognised on trade date where the purchase or sale of an investment is under a contract whose terms
require delivery of the investment within the timeframe established by the market concerned, and are initially measured at fair value, plus
transaction costs, except for those financial assets classified as at fair value through profit or loss, which are initially measured at
fair value.

3.     Segment information
                           Segment revenue            Segment result
 In thousands of euros    2008        2007         2008         2007
 Continuing operations                                     
 Lettings                6,540       5,777          204        2,287
 New build sales           304       9,001           43        3,423
 Financial services      7,312       6,994      (2,188)        2,602
                        14,156      21,772      (1,941)        8,312
                                                           
 Unallocated                                      (254)      (2,009)
                                                           
 Profit before tax                              (2,195)        6,303
 Income tax expense                                 307      (1,196)
                                                           
 Profit for the period                          (1,888)        5,107

    The Company recognises three business segments based on the products, environment and risks:
    *     Commissions from lettings (lettings and property management)
    *     Commissions earned and proceeds from the sale of new build properties (as an agent or principal)
    *     Financial services (insurance and mortgage commissions),
    4.     Seasonality

    The Group's Lettings segment is subject to seasonal fluctuations as a result of several conditions, In particular, a peak activity is
occurring between the months of May and October, This is based on historical figures,

    5.       Borrowings

    During the period, the Group obtained a new short-term bank loan in the amount of Euro 15 million and is repayable within 1 year.
Furthermore the Group obtained a new middle-long-term bank loan in the amount of Euro 20 million and is repayable within 5 years. The loan
bears interest at market rates.

6.       Earnings per share

                                                                    2008
                                                           
 Profit attributable to ordinary shareholders (EUR'000)          (1,888)
                                                           
 Weighted average number of shares                           157,406,028
                                                           
 Basic earnings per share (EPS) after tax (EUR)                   (0,01)

7.        Acquisitions

    Cost of Acquisitions
                                Date of      Acquisiton          Cost of
 In thousands of euros      acquisition           costs      acquisition
 Kamernet.nl                 05-02-2008             103            8,203
 VCS                         06-03-2008               7              647
 Settle Service B.V.         03-04-2008             103            2,653
 Uw Toekomst N.V.            22-05-2008             129            3,002
                                                                  14,505

    Net assets acquired
                                     Pre-acquisition                        Recognised
                                            carrying       Fair value        values on
 In thousands of euros                       amounts      adjustments      acquisition
 Intangible assets                               208            2,254            2,462
 Property, plant and equipment                   374                -              374
 Trade and other receivables                   1,021                -            1,021
 Financial assets                              7,052                -            7,052
 Other assets                                    202                -              202
 Cash and cash equivalents                       418                -              418
 Trade and other payables                      (643)                -            (643)
 Deferred tax liability                           98                -               98
 Financial liabilities                         (125)                -            (125)
 Other liabilities                           (6,732)              609          (6,123)
 Net identifiable assets and                   1,873            2,863            4,736
 liabilities                                                             
 Goodwill on acquisition                                                         9,769
                                                                                14,505
                                                                         
 Consideration paid, satisfied                                                (14,505)
 in cash                                                                 
 Cash acquired                                                                     418
 Net cash outflow                                                             (14,087)

    The allocation of the purchase price to the net assets acquired has not yet been finalized. The goodwill recognised on the acquisition
is attributable to the business and the anticipated profitability of the distribution of the Group's products in the new markets and the
anticipated future operating synergies from the combination.

    8.       Commitments and contingencies

    Under the terms of contracts to sell properties on behalf of developers, the Company has obligations to purchase any unsold properties
at the end of that contract. At 30 June 2008, the maximum commitment to purchase unsold apartments amounts to EUR 5,707.

    9.       Approval of interim financial statements

    The interim financial statements were approved by the board of directors on 22 September 2008

    Disclaimer
    This press release contains forward-looking statements with regard to the financial position and results of Direct Wonen's activities,
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in the forward-looking statements, Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond Direct Wonen's ability
to control or estimate precisely, such as future market and economic conditions, the behaviour of other market participants, changes in
consumer preferences, the ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses and achieve anticipated synergies, interest-rate
fluctuations, changes in tax rates, changes in law, pension costs, the actions of government regulators and weather conditions, These and
other risk factors are detailed in Direct Wonen's publicly available financial information as included in the admission document to the AIM
dated 25 April 2007, You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only relevant as of the date of this press release, Direct Wonen does not undertake any
obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of these
statements, Market share estimates contained in this press release are based on outside sources, such as specialised research institutes, in
combination with management estimates,


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

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