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| Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type | Share ISIN | Share Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Investors Plc | LSE:RLE | London | Ordinary Share | GB00B45XLP34 | ORD 10P |
| Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.00 | 0.00% | 33.50 | 33.00 | 34.00 | 33.50 | 33.50 | 33.50 | 106,842 | 08:00:00 |
| Industry Sector | Turnover | Profit | EPS - Basic | PE Ratio | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operators-nonres Bldgs | 13.29M | 10.93M | 0.0633 | 5.29 | 57.84M |
From Apr 2019 to Apr 2024
TIDMRLE
RNS Number : 3640G
Real Estate Investors PLC
17 March 2020
Real Estate Investors Plc
("REI" or the "Company" or the "Group")
Final Results
For the year ended 31 December 2019
Government Commitment to HS2 Boosts Midlands Markets
Real Estate Investors Plc (AIM: RLE), the UK's only Midlands-focused Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) with a portfolio of 1.59 million sq ft of investment property across all sectors, is pleased to report its final results for the year ended 31 December 2019.
Economies of scale driving profitability
-- Annualised contracted income of GBP17.7 million (net of sales) (FY 2018: GBP17.0 million) up 4.1%
-- Increased revenue to GBP16.6 million (FY 2018: GBP15.6 million) up 6.4% -- Underlying profit before tax* of GBP8.0 million (FY 2018: GBP7.2 million) up 11.1% -- EPRA** EPS of 4.3p (FY 2018: 3.9p) up 12.2%
-- Profit before tax totalled GBP3.7 million (2018: GBP8.4 million) allows for property revaluations and hedge costs (both non-cash items)
-- Average cost of debt reduced to 3.4% ( FY 2018: 3.7%), with 72% of the Company's debt fixed -- Conservative LTV net of cash at 42.2%
Growing and covered quarterly dividend
-- Total dividend per share for 2019 of 3.8125p (FY 2018: 3.5625p) up 7% -- Final dividend of 1p per share payable in April 2020 as a Property Income Distribution
-- Fully covered dividend, which has now seen year-on-year growth for 7 consecutive years, with total dividends paid to date of GBP29 million
Well balanced portfolio
-- Completed two acquisitions for GBP9.25 million (net of costs) and disposals of GBP2.1 million
-- Total portfolio grew to GBP228.9 million (FY 2018: GBP224.8 million) up 1.8%
-- Excluding acquisitions and disposals, portfolio valued at GBP219.1 million, 1.6% lower, reflecting current market sentiment towards all retail, however, REI retail assets are made up of local concessions and neighbourhood stores which continue to perform well
-- EPRA** NAV per share of 67.4p (FY 2018: 69.3p) -- Completed 53 lease events, ending the period with 280 occupiers across 53 assets -- Occupancy strong at 96.3% (FY 2018: 96.1%)
Decision on HS2 significant boost for the region
-- Certainty on HS2 has renewed the investment appeal of Birmingham and surrounding markets -- Well placed to capitalise on pent up requirements to trade via:
o Sale of mature assets to recycle capital into opportunities with potential for higher returns
o Capitalise on mis-priced assets from 'under pressure' institutional vendors
Paul Bassi, CEO of Real Estate Investors Plc, commented:
"In a flat market place, we have delivered portfolio, revenue, earnings and dividend growth. Our economies of scale drove underlying profits to GBP8.0 million, up 11.1%, and EPRA** EPS to 4.3p, up 12.2%. Our portfolio now stands at GBP228.9 million and has delivered total dividend payments to our shareholders of GBP29 million since the commencement of our dividend policy 7 years ago."
"Certainty on HS2, the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and Coventry City of Culture next year, all represent a significant boost for the region and will underpin an increase in investment and acceleration on decision making. Re-location of people and corporate offices adds fuel to the local economy and we expect these trends to accelerate. Though all these outcomes are subject to the unknown outputs of Covid-19 impact that cannot be predicted at this stage."
Financial and Operational Results
Hot Features
Premium
31 Dec 2019 31 Dec 2018 Change
Revenue GBP16.6 million GBP15.6 million +6.4%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Underlying profit before
tax GBP8.0 million GBP7.2 million +11.1%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Contracted rental income GBP17.7 million GBP17.0 million +4.1%
----------------- ----------------- -------
EPRA EPS** 4.3p 3.9p +12.2%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Pre-tax Profit GBP3.7 million GBP8.4 million -55.9%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Dividend per share 3.8p 3.6p +7%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Average cost of debt 3.4% 3.7% -8.1%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Like for like rental
income GBP16.9 million GBP17.0 million -1.9%
----------------- ----------------- -------
31 Dec 2019 31 Dec 2018 Change
----------------- ----------------- -------
Gross property assets GBP228.9 million GBP224.8 million +1.8%
----------------- ----------------- -------
EPRA NAV per share 67.4p 69.3p -2.7%
----------------- ----------------- -------
EPRA NNNAV per share 66.0p 67.9p -2.8%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Like for like capital
value psf GBP141.31 psf GBP143.74 psf -1.6%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Like for like valuation GBP219.1 million GBP222.8 million -1.6%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Tenants 280 269 +4.1%
----------------- ----------------- -------
WAULT*** 3.82 years 4.24 years -9.9%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Total ownership (sq 1.59 million 1.55 million
ft) sq ft sq ft +2.6
----------------- ----------------- -------
Net assets GBP125.4 million GBP128.7 million -2.5%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Loan to value 46.7% 44.7% +4.5%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Loan to value net of
cash 42.2% 39.8% +6.0%
----------------- ----------------- -------
Definitions
* Underlying profit before tax excludes profit/loss on revaluation and sale of properties and interest rate swaps
** EPRA = European Public Real Estate Association *** WAULT = Weighted Average Unexpired Lease Term
Enquiries:
Real Estate Investors Plc Paul Bassi/Marcus Daly +44 (0)121 212 3446 Cenkos Securities Katy Birkin/Ben Jeynes +44 (0)20 7397 8900 Liberum Jamie Richards/William Hall +44 (0)20 3100 2000 Allenby Capital Nick Naylor/Asha Chotai +44 (0)20 3328 5656 Novella Communications Tim Robertson/Fergus Young +44 (0)20 3151 7008
About Real Estate Investors Plc
Real Estate Investors Plc is a publicly quoted, internally managed property investment company and REIT with a portfolio of 1.59 million sq ft of mixed-use commercial property, managed by a highly-experienced property team with over 100 years of combined experience of operating in the Midlands property market across all sectors. The Company's strategy is to invest in well located, real estate assets in the established and proven markets across the Midlands, with income and capital growth potential, realisable through active portfolio management, refurbishment, change of use and lettings. The portfolio has no material reliance on a single asset or occupier.
On 1st January 2015, the Company converted to a REIT. Real Estate Investment Trusts are listed property investment companies or groups not liable to corporation tax on their rental income or capital gains from their qualifying activities. The Company aims to deliver capital growth and income enhancement from its assets, supporting its progressive dividend policy, which has enjoyed 7 years of consecutive growth. Further information on the Company can be found at www.reiplc.com .
Chairman's and Chief Executive's Statement
Overview
During 2019, we experienced high levels of political and economic uncertainty which led to an inactive property market. Our strategy and business model remained robust against the challenges that UK businesses and in particular the real estate sector faced, and delivered another year of excellent progress, benefitting in particular from the Company's focus on resilient subsectors.
Revenues grew to GBP16.6 million, up 6.4% in the last 12 months and this allowed us to pay a 3.8p covered dividend for 2019, providing a total of GBP29 million paid to shareholders since the commencement of our dividend payments in 2012. Our diverse portfolio now stands at GBP228.9 million and has no material exposure to any asset, sector or occupier and has delivered underlying profits of GBP8.0 million, up 11.1% year-on-year, our highest revenues and underlying profits since the inception of REI in 2004.
Our portfolio had 280 occupiers across 53 assets and during the period, we completed 53 lease events and our occupancy levels remain strong at 96.3%. We experienced strong occupier demand for offices, our largest sector weighting at 37.7%. Low levels of new build and existing stock being converted to residential under permitted development rights, has also driven strong rental increases across a number of our office assets such as Topaz Business Park, Bromsgrove, which achieved an 18.6% per annum rental increase. In January 2020, post the year end, we achieved a good start to the year by completing new lettings and lease renewals totalling GBP726,000 p.a.
Our permitted development potential continues to remain high with approximately 250,000 sq ft of potential residential conversion identified across the portfolio.
We made two excellent mixed-use acquisitions during the year in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, for the combined sum of GBP9.25 million and believe that these have been well bought during a period of uncertainty, providing immediate opportunities to add value and secure long-term income from prime real estate assets.
The office portfolio, representing 37.7% of the total portfolio, of which 6.4% is government income, comprises our largest sector weighting and has performed exceptionally well, with strong demand, excellent occupancy levels and capital growth of 4%, achieved in a static marketplace through asset management initiatives and improving demand. The portfolio has seen some downward valuation pressure on our retail assets of 6.2%, due to the negative sentiment towards the retail sector generally, despite the fact that we do not have any exposure to department stores, indoor shopping centres or out-of-town stand-alone retail. However, we continue to maintain a long-term track record of outperformance versus the MSCI IPD Quarterly Property Index which during 2019, reported a capital loss of -12% on an ungeared basis during 2019 (Source: MSCI).
We are aware of significant opportunities, with a pipeline of acquisition opportunities. Due to the constraints of our available capital and our policy to retain our gearing at existing levels, we remain extremely selective. The availability of further capital would allow us to take advantage of these significant mis-priced opportunities, which have been driven by the distress and uncertainty caused by Brexit discussions and forced sellers at open ended funds.
We also remain alert to corporate opportunities and we anticipate a period of consolidation in the real estate sector.
Financial Results
Underlying Profits, up 11.1%
Our portfolio value has grown to GBP228.9 million, up 1.8%. Revenue for the period under review is up 6.4% and contracted rental income is at a record GBP17.7 million p.a., up 4.1%, with underlying profits up 11.1% to GBP8.0 million.
Our like-for-like rental income declined by GBP100,000, predominantly due to known lease events that provide asset management opportunities to improve rental income and lease terms and enhance capital value.
Further acquisitions and asset management initiatives will enhance our asset base and income whilst supporting our Net Asset Value growth, together with delivering on our commitment of a progressive dividend policy.
Pre-tax profits of GBP3.7 million allow for GBP470,000 of acquisition costs and a reduction in our portfolio valuations of GBP4.3 million allows for property revaluations and hedge costs (both non-cash items) , whilst our office portfolio increased by 4%, our retail assets were downgraded by 6.2%. Underlying profits of GBP8.0 million have helped support the growth of our fully covered dividend for 2019 of 3.81p, up 7%, over the period, representing a seventh year of consecutive growth.
Finance and Banking
Reduced cost of debt
With our longstanding banking relationships and access to debt, we will continue to secure additional bank facilities when appropriate, to support future growth and improve profitability. We will maintain a policy of being multi-banked across a number of established lenders.
We remain conservatively geared at 42.2% LTV (net of cash) and have significantly reduced the cost of our debt over the last few years and intend to maintain our gearing at the existing levels.
Our bank facilities were successfully restructured during the year with 72% of our debt fixed, through facilities secured with 6 banks and average cost of debt reducing to 3.4% (2018: 3.7%), down 8.1%. We continue to review long term rates to fix low cost debt when appropriate.
In December 2019, REI finalised a facility of GBP8.5 million with Barclays Bank for 4 years at 1.9% over LIBOR secured against a portfolio of assets, drawn down on 30 December 2019.
Dividend
7 years of continued dividend growth
One of our principal objectives has been to deliver attractive, sustainable, higher level dividend returns and we are pleased to have increased our fully covered dividend for 2019 of 3.81p, an uplift of 7% on 2018.
We have paid the first three quarterly dividends of 0.937p and propose to pay a final dividend of 1p.
The proposed timetable for the final dividend, which will be a Property Income Distribution (PID), is as follows:
Dividend Timetable
Ex-dividend date: 26 March 2020
Record date: 27 March 2020
--------------
Dividend payment date: 30 April 2020
--------------
Outlook
Stable Business Platform but Covid-19 Uncertainty Ahead
Our portfolio remains well positioned to benefit from a vibrant regional economy that has finally seen the HS2 project confirmed and, in Q1 2020 to date, we have already evidenced transactional market activity that reveals strong occupier demand and renewed investor appetite. However, in view of the rapid and changing situation relating to Covid-19, the property market conditions remain uncertain.
Our intention is to continue to add value to our existing assets whilst alert to other opportunities that will further enhance our profitability.
Covid-19
The unprecedented and fast changing circumstances surrounding Covid-19 provide us with an uncertain landscape, however we have a strong, stable business platform and management have a proven track record of performing during periods of uncertainty, as demonstrated in the past.
We are alert to the potential impact of Covid-19, an unforeseen human tragedy on a global scale. REI has a risk averse strategy, stable portfolio with high levels of occupancy and multi-sector diversification, together with controlled overheads. We remain vigilant and, in common with all businesses, we are closely monitoring the situation. To date, there has been no noticeable effect on the business, however it is too early to quantify what the impact may be in the future.
Should it be necessary, our resourceful team is able to work from home without any restrictions and all provisions have been made to ensure that the business can continue to operate efficiently. Furthermore, we have received assurance from all third-party providers and partners that they all have contingency measures in place to support REI. All necessary actions are being taken to safeguard our staff and ensure the continued progress and success of the business, through difficult and unprecedented global circumstances.
Investment Market Overview (Subject to the impact of Covid-19)
Overall property investment volumes slowed across the UK in 2019, as investors reflected on a political standstill - we expect the full year total to be around GBP45 billion, down from GBP65 billion in 2018 (Source: CBRE Research). The Midlands region also saw a decline in volumes during the period. However, after a subdued 2019, we expect investment volumes to increase throughout 2020, as confidence returns to the market and pricing remains attractive.
There is still a significant weight of capital targeting commercial property in the wider Midlands region. Prime investment yields within Birmingham city centre remain at 5.00%, and we anticipate this to improve as the market strengthens throughout 2020. Most property forecasters are anticipating a rebound in transaction volumes in 2020, which will impact positively on capital values and investor demand that will be strengthened further with the recent lowering of interest rates.
For those investors seeking value and enhanced returns, acute shortages of quality supply in the regions makes a compelling case for asset management plays. We see 2020 being the year where private and institutional investors, from outside the region, look to the Midlands for higher yielding regional stock and we believe that this will create opportunities for REI to dispose of mature assets. REI has a number of properties where asset management has been completed, these can be re-cycled into new opportunities with the potential for higher returns.
The REI Portfolio
Our portfolio is stable, secure and diversified across many sectors, with no material reliance on any single asset or occupier. The portfolio includes offices (37.7%) of which 6.4% is government income and, due to the lack of new build over the last decade and some existing office stock being converted to residential under permitted development rights, we are noting a significant undersupply of office space and experiencing rental growth across our office ownership, in particular, in our non-city centre stock across the Midlands. Our traditional retail assets continue to perform extremely well and due to current anti-retail sentiment; we believe are undervalued. Our retail exposure remains focused on convenience, town centre and neighbourhood outlets.
The portfolio is valued at GBP228.9 million (2018: GBP224.8 million), an increase of 1.8% and contracted rental income has grown to GBP17.7 million p.a. (2018: GBP17.0 million p.a.), up 4.1%. The Company's property portfolio comprised 280 assets with 53 tenants and a net initial yield of 7.85% with a reversionary yield of 8.63%.
The portfolio remains well placed with excellent occupancy levels in excess of 96% and with potential for positive capital and rental performance in this coming year.
Our retail holdings have seen a 6.2% decline in values throughout the period, which is entirely linked to market sentiment in respect of retail, due to highly publicised insolvencies including Debenhams, House of Fraser and Toys R Us. We do not have any such holdings and anticipate valuation recovery as the marketplace recognises our strong neighbourhood and convenience assets.
We continue to pursue a pipeline of new investment opportunities from our privileged network of property market professionals. We believe a selective approach to acquisitions yields the best investment opportunities in the current market and consider ourselves well positioned with long-term debt facilities and low net gearing to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. We remain committed to a strategy focused on regional property, with a broad tenant mix.
Acquisitions
In line with our strategy, we acquired mixed-use investment properties during the period for a combined total of GBP9.25 million, with a blended net initial yield of 8.13%. The investments are both located in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, with established occupiers including; O2, Toni & Guy, McDonald's, Tiger UK, Moss Bros and Timpson, with significant potential to improve rental income and capital valuations.
Since acquiring the properties, we have completed a number of lease events and within a very short period of time expect to have extended the average unexpired lease term and added significant value. These recent acquisitions provide a good working example of our investment objectives and capabilities.
Sales
We did not actively seek to make any new sales during 2019, but we did identify a number of properties in the portfolio that are suitable for sale and we will monitor this position over the coming months, and anticipate securing some sales at or above existing book values.
Subject to the impact of Covid-19, we anticipate acquiring a further GBP10 million of assets during H1 2020, to grow our portfolio and income, whilst maintaining a balanced and diversified asset, sector and occupier base. With our established network of regional contacts and our well-established reputation for efficient transactions we will continue to target good income with low gearing in a diversified regional portfolio and continue to focus on delivering stable long-term returns for shareholders.
Occupational Market Overview
Prospects for the West Midlands region remain strong. HS2 has been secured and, with Coventry named as the UK's City of Culture for 2021 and Birmingham hosting the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the region has a rare opportunity to showcase everything it has to offer on a global stage.
We are seeing unprecedented levels of investment across the entire region in infrastructure, housing, education, innovation and culture. This is making our towns and cities a compelling proposition to domestic and overseas businesses and we expect our region to take advantage of this level of inward investment. In January 2020, Segro announced a GBP400 million gateway scheme for Coventry, anticipated to create over 7,000 jobs.
According to Savills, the end of year take-up figures in Birmingham city centre is forecast to exceed 1 million square feet, resulting in Birmingham's strongest year on record.
The majority of our office buildings are in out of town locations, and 2018 witnessed the highest level of out-of-town activity since 2015 with 358,115 sq ft leased. With available space in out-of-town markets at an all-time-low (452,929 sq ft), we anticipate rising rents and capital values.
In the retail sector, January 2020 witnessed some green shoots of recovery with BDO reporting a 5.7% jump in like-for-like-in-store sales for the month across UK High Streets, with the sector experiencing its strongest month since 2014, likely due to the easing of the political turmoil.
Our continued retail focus on convenience, town centre and neighbourhood shopping (a strong sub-sector), with no department stores/indoor shopping centres or out of town stand-alone retail, has resulted in only two small retail units affected by insolvency in the year, representing 0.56% of income.
There is strong occupier demand for neighbourhood and convenience retail and our deliberate focus on this subsector has seen overall occupancy across the portfolio remain at a robust level of 96.3%.
Portfolio Mix
The current sector weightings are:
31 Dec 2019 31 Dec 2018
Sector Rent GBP % by Income % by Income
Office 6,659,625 37.70% 37.86%
----------- ------------- ------------
Traditional Retail 3,785,116 21.43% 19.60%
----------- ------------- ------------
Discount Retail - Poundland/B&M
etc 1,650,902 9.35% 10.07%
----------- ------------- ------------
Medical and Pharmaceutical -
Boots etc 1,135,300 6.43% 6.69%
----------- ------------- ------------
Food Stores - Sainsburys, Lidl
etc 1,011,150 5.72% 5.94%
----------- ------------- ------------
Restaurant/Bar/Coffee - Costa
Coffee etc 1,035,150 5.86% 6.12%
----------- ------------- ------------
Financial/Licences/Agency -
Ladbrokes etc 845,002 4.78% 4.62%
----------- ------------- ------------
Leisure - The Gym Group etc 537,596 3.04% 3.16%
----------- ------------- ------------
Hotel 511,000 2.89% 3.00%
----------- ------------- ------------
Car Park 424,613 2.41% 2.50%
----------- ------------- ------------
Industrial 52,500 0.30% 0.34%
----------- ------------- ------------
Assured Shorthold Tenancy 16,520 0.09% 0.10%
----------- ------------- ------------
TOTAL 17,664,474 100% 100%
----------- ------------- ------------
Asset management
Office sector provides stability and growth
Despite the negative sentiment that has prevailed within the retail sector, REI's strategy of holding a mixed used portfolio has paid dividends. The asset management initiatives employed have partially offset the impact of the retail sector sentiment. Our strongest sector has been offices, where values have increased by 4%. The majority of that increase has come from lease renewals, where the strong relationships forged with the tenants, together with an understanding of their business needs, has resulted in sensible deals that have benefitted both parties. Combined with targeted refurbishments, enabling old space to be let at better terms, this has delivered a solid performance for 2019.
Key asset management initiatives undertaken during the period include:
Avon House, Bromsgrove
AFH PLC occupied the entirety of the building by way of three separate leases with simultaneous expiries. The three leases were surrendered and a 10-year full repairing lease for the whole building was signed from September 2019. The annual rent was held at passing subject to an RPI review at the 5(th) year. The benefit to REI was that we were able to reduce our operational shortfalls within the building by way of eliminating our service charge caps whilst securing a 10-year term to an established and well-respected wealth management company. This resulted in a valuation gain from December 2018.
Topaz Business Park, Bromsgrove
In 2019 we were able to conclude various initiatives including an open market letting at our Topaz office scheme, setting a new rental tone of GBP19psf for the business park. The rest of the park is fully let and we have completed a reversionary lease to Instinctive Technologies, with effect from March 2020 for an additional 5 years to 2025 as well as a lease renewal to Park Place Technologies for further 5 years to 2024. The overall annual rent for the park has increased by 18.6% to GBP340,402 p.a. and coupled with the positive sentiment for well-placed office stock resulted in a valuation gain from December 2018.
Westgate House, Warwick
In December 2019 Moore & Tibbitts (M&T), who occupy part of the first floor, surrendered their lease for a new 10-year lease taking additional space within the building. In order to facilitate this REI undertook works to take back part of Boots' 1(st) floor storage space thus creating the additional office accommodation required for M&T. As part of the deal Boots agreed a new 6-year lease, a year ahead of their previous contractual expiry. Due to pro-active asset management REI were able to retain M&T in the building whilst being able to capitalise in the conversion from storage space to office space, resulting in an increased rent and improved WAULT.
Both of the deals highlight the positive sentiment that each tenant has towards Westgate House demonstrating its well-placed position within the popular town centre.
31 Dec 2019 Value Area Contracted ERV NIY RY Occupancy
(GBP000) (sq ft) Rent (GBP) GBP % % %
Central
Birmingham 30,975 114,049 1,568,835 2,046,836 5.06% 6.61% 82.85
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------- ------- ----------
Other Birmingham 35,225 215,895 2,681,532 2,855,319 7.61% 8.11% 95.80
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------- ------- ----------
West Midlands 82,375 647,387 6,450,533 7,200,236 7.83% 8.74% 95.65
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------- ------- ----------
Other Midlands 73,730 586,347 6,679,172 7,021,069 9.06% 9.52% 99.96
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------- ------- ----------
Other Locations 2,770 28,779 284,402 310,326 10.27% 11.25% 96.15
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------- ------- ----------
Land 3,780 - - - - - -
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------- ------- ----------
Total 228,855 1,592,457 17,664,474 19,433,786 7.85% 8.63% 96.35
---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- ------- ------- ----------
*Our land holdings are excluded from the yield calculations
REI's Regional Review
Economy/Business/Employment
-- Birmingham achieved the fastest growing economy outside of the South East and East of England during Q2 2019, according to the Centre for Economic & Business Research (CEBR), with GVA growth of 1.5% and is set to be one of the fastest growing economies by the end of 2020 with GVA expected to grow by 1.2% across the city in the year to Q4 2020, taking the total value of the economy to GBP28.3 billion
-- West Midlands business confidence was the highest in the UK throughout Q4 2019, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, with an overall confidence of 23%
-- The West Midlands is the UK's leading region outside of London and the South East for attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), according to figures from the Department for International Trade with 171 new FDI projects in the West Midlands, creating 9,424 new jobs in 2018/2019
-- The West Midlands recorded the highest employment growth of all UK regions in the year to November 2019, with 81,000 jobs created
-- The West Midlands' private equity-backed buy-out market saw an increase in the number of deals recorded in 2019, according to the Centre for Management Buy-Out Research (CMBOR) at Imperial College Business School, with 17 deals in the period involving businesses head-quartered in the region
Property
-- Birmingham investment volumes increased by 50% in 2019, with a total volume of GBP628 million
-- City centre office take up totalled 780,019 sq ft in 2019, up 3.4% on 2018 and up 6% on 10-year average
-- Post year end, BT announced a move to a Birmingham landmark building, taking 283,000 sq ft in the largest speculative office development outside of London, Three Snowhill
-- Q3 2019, saw Birmingham boast two of the three largest regional offices deals in the UK with the Government Property Agency's 110,800 sq ft letting at city centre Platform 21 building and automotive manufacturer ZF's take-up of 90,000 sq ft at Solihull's Blythe Valley Park making up two of the three largest office deals of the quarter outside London
-- Birmingham and Liverpool are the two top choices for foreign investors looking to place bets on UK regional cities next year, according to an analysis by Consorto with investors attracted by Birmingham's average office yields of 5.00% and GBP25 million of City centre regeneration plans in the pipeline
-- Birmingham ranks first as UK regeneration hot spots report in September 2019 revealed by Glide, showing that Birmingham's council area has the most opportunities for regeneration for investment in empty residential and commercial properties
-- The Government has boosted its presence in the region by announcing that it is set to open a hub in a prominent Birmingham building in 2021, which will be home to 1,700 civil servants, the second hub for Birmingham and follows 3 Arena Central, which will house 3,600 staff when it opens in 2021
-- According to Savills, an additional 3,145 households are expected each year over the next decade, with the West Midlands receiving GBP350 million to meet demand, funding 215,000 new homes by 2031
Manufacturing/Engineering/Technology
-- Jaguar Land Rover has reported record US sales for 2019 with the manufacturing giant selling 125,787 cars in the year, up 3% on 2018
-- Birmingham has been named as a major hub for start-up tech firms with the city becoming the second most popular region for that sector outside London, with 570 tech start-ups formed in the city in 2019, bringing the total number to 14,509, employing over 40,000 people
-- JCB's sales jumped 22% to GBP4.1 billion during its latest financial year, outpacing the global construction equipment market which grew by 18% to an all-time high of one million machines
Travel/Tourism
-- In February 2020, the Government announced that the vast HS2 infrastructure project will be delivered by the end of the decade, which will not only boost the regional economy but will deliver prosperity
-- Passenger numbers take off at Birmingham Airport with almost 12.7 million passengers passed through Birmingham Airport in 2019, a rise of 1.6 per cent according to new figures
-- Birmingham New Street has overtaken London Euston to become the fifth busiest rail hub in the UK with passenger numbers increasing by a third to 47.9 million since the station was transformed to include Grand Central development
-- Region remains ambitious and resilient as visitor numbers soar with the city remaining in the top 3 destinations for shopping in the UK, with a GBP3.74 billion expenditure
-- The West Midlands has unveiled a tourism strategy to grow the West Midlands' visitor economy by more than GBP1 billion with the aim of creating 19,000 jobs with The West Midlands Regional Tourism Strategy highlighting plans to grow the region's economic value from GBP12.6 billion in 2018 to GBP13.7 billion during the next decade, a 9% increase
Our Stakeholders
Our thanks to our shareholders, advisors, occupiers and staff for their continued support and assistance.
John Crabtree OBE D. Univ Paul Bassi CBE D. Univ
Chairman Chief Executive
16 March 2020 16 March 2020
FINANCIAL REVIEW
Overview
Our main objectives for the year were to continue to increase shareholder value, refinance unencumbered properties and deploy the funds generated into investment properties, continue our progressive dividend policy, and increase our underlying profit before tax, EPRA earnings per share and net assets per share. These objectives have been achieved with the exception of net assets per share which has reduced following the revaluation deficit on our property portfolio.
31 December 31 December Change
2019 2018
Gross Property Assets GBP228.9 million GBP224.8 million +1.8%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Underlying profit before
tax GBP8.0 million GBP7.2 million +11.1%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Profit before Tax GBP3.7 million GBP8.4 million -56.0%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Revenue GBP16.6 million GBP15.6 million +6.4%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
EPRA EPS 4.3p 3.9p +12.2%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
EPRA NAV per share 67.4p 69.3p -2.7%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
EPRA NNNAV per share 66p 67.9p -2.8%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Net Assets GBP125.4 million GBP128.7 million -2.5%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Loan to value 46.7% 44.7% +4.5%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Loan to value net of cash 42.2% 39.8% +6.0%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Average cost of debt 3.4% 3.7% -8.1%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Dividend per share 3.81p 3.56p +7.0%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Like for like rental income GBP16.9 million GBP17.0 million -1.9%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Like for like capital value GBP141.31 sq GBP143.74 sq
per sq ft ft ft -1.6%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Like for like valuation GBP219.1 million GBP222.8million -1.6%
--------------------------- ----------------- -------
Results for the year
Our underlying profit before tax rose to GBP8.0 million (2018: GBP7.2 million). Profit before tax (IFRS) totalled GBP3.7 million (2018: GBP8.4 million), including a surplus on sale of investment properties of GBP8,000 (2018: loss GBP42,000) and a loss on revaluation of investment properties of GBP4.3 million (2018: surplus GBP578,000), together with a loss on the market value of our interest rate hedging instruments of GBP41,000 (2018: surplus GBP706,000).
Acquisitions of investment properties totalled GBP9.3 million (net of acquisition costs) during the year. Rental income for the year was up 6.4% to GBP16.6 million (2018: GBP15.6 million). The investment properties were revalued externally at 31 December 2019 and resulted in a loss on revaluation of GBP4.3 million mainly due to the pessimistic view on retail, which resulted in a write down of GBP2 million on our retail centre in Crewe, and absorbing costs of GBP470,000 on property acquisitions.
The decision to dispose of certain properties during the year resulted from properties reaching maturity, receiving an offer substantially higher than valuation and continuing to dispose of the "legacy" portfolio which we inherited and is out of area.
We continue to review our overhead base and administrative expenses which were stable at GBP3.5 million (2018: GBP3.3 million) after charging a bonus provision, (plus employers' National Insurance) of GBP940,000 (2018: GBP940,000) and a provision for costs of the Long-Term Investment Plan of GBP100,000 (2018: Nil).
Interest costs for the year fell to GBP3.6 million (2018: GBP3.7 million) as the weighted average cost of debt fell to 3.4% (2018: 3.7%) as a result of new debt at variable rates and the fixing of GBP10 million of our facility with Lloyds Banking Group.
Earnings per share were:
Basic: 2.0p (2018: 4.5p)
Diluted: 1.9p (2018: 4.4p)
EPRA: 4.3p (2018: 3.9p)
Shareholders' funds decreased to GBP125.4 million at 31 December 2019 (2018: GBP128.7 million) as a result of the loss on property portfolio revaluation.
Basic NAV: 67.3p (2018: 69.0p)
EPRA NAV: 67.4p (2018: 69.3p)
EPRA NNNAV: 66.0p (2018: 67.9p)
Finance and banking
Total drawn debt at 31 December 2019 was GBP105 million (2018: GBP99 million). In December 2019, the Group agreed a new GBP8.5 million facility with Barclays Bank at 1.90% over LIBOR and during the year the Company fixed a GBP10 million facility with Lloyds Banking Group at 3.2% including bank margin. As a result, the weighted average cost of debt has decreased to 3.4% (2018: 3.7%) and the weighted average debt maturity was 3.25 years (2018: 4.5 years), with 72% of debt fixed and 28% variable. The loan to value (LTV) at 31 December 2019 was 46.7% (2018: 44.7%) and the LTV net of cash was 42.2% (2018: 39.8%).
Long Term Incentive Plan (LTIP)
The LTIP is designed to promote retention and to incentivise the executive directors to grow the value of the Group and to maximise returns. A provision has been made in the accounts of GBP100,000 (2018: GBPNil) in respect of the LTIP. Based on the results 42% of the options awarded for 2017 are likely to vest.
Taxation
The Group converted to a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) on 1 January 2015. Under REIT status the Group does not pay tax on its rental income profits or on gains from the sale of investment properties. The tax charge for the year is in respect of bank interest received and the movement on the deferred tax asset is in respect of the financial instruments. The Group continues to meet all of the REIT requirements to maintain REIT status.
Dividend
Under the REIT status the Group is required to distribute at least 90% of rental income taxable profits arising each financial year by way of a Property Income Distribution. REI commenced paying quarterly dividends in 2016. Interim dividends of 0.937p per share were paid in July 2019, October 2019 and January 2019 and the Board proposes a final dividend of 1.0p per share payable in April 2020 as a Property Income Distribution making a total of 3.8125p for the year (2018: 3.5625p) an increase of 7%. The allocation of dividend payments between PID and non PID will continue to vary.
Marcus Daly
Finance Director
16 March 2020
Real Estate Investors plc
Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2019
Note 2019 2018
GBP000 GBP000
Revenue 16,596 15,642
Cost of sales (1,485) (1,478)
-------- ---------
Gross profit 15,111 14,164
Administrative expenses (3,553) (3,322)
Surplus/(loss) on sale of investment property 8 (42)
Change in fair value of investment properties (4,349) 578
-------- ---------
Profit from operations 7,217 11,378
Finance income 41 31
Finance costs (3,554) (3,713)
(Loss)/surplus on financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss (41) 706
-------- ---------
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 3,663 8,402
Income tax charge - (113)
Net profit after taxation and total comprehensive income 3,663 8,289
-------- ---------
Total and continuing earnings per ordinary share
Basic 3 1.96p 4.45p
Diluted 3 1.93p 4.37p
EPRA 3 4.32p 3.85p
-------- ---------
The results of the Group for the period related entirely to continuing operations.
Real Estate Investors plc
Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2019
Share Capital
Share premium redemption Other Retained
capital account reserve reserve earnings Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
At 1 January 2018 18,642 51,721 45 1,150 55,496 127,054
Share based payment - - - (148) - (148)
Dividends - - - - (6,524) (6,524)
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------
Transactions with
owners - - - (148) (6,524) (6,672)
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------
Profit for the year
and total comprehensive
income - - - - 8,289 8,289
At 31 December 2018 18,642 51,721 45 1,002 57,261 128,671
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------
Share based payment - - - 100 - 100
Dividends - - - - (6,991) (6,991)
Transactions with
owners - - - 100 (6,991) (6,891))
--------- --------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------
Profit for the year
and total comprehensive
income - - - - 3,663 3,663
At 31 December 2019 18,642 51,721 45 1,102 53,933 125,443
========= ========= ============ ========= ========== =========
Real Estate Investors plc
Consolidated statement of financial position
At 31 December 2019
Note 2019 2018
GBP000 GBP000
Assets
Non-current
Intangible assets - -
Investment properties 4 225,075 221,040
Property, plant and equipment 8 11
Deferred tax 405 405
---------- ----------
225,488 221,456
---------- ----------
Current
Inventories 3,780 3,764
Trade and other receivables 2,423 2,277
Cash and cash equivalents 10,092 10,843
---------- ----------
16,295 16,884
---------- ----------
Total assets 241,783 238,340
========== ==========
Liabilities
Current
Bank loans (7,368) (364)
Trade and other payables (8,114) (7,884)
---------- ----------
(15,482) (8,248)
---------- ----------
Non-current
Bank loans (97,807) (98,411)
Financial liabilities (3,051) (3,010)
---------- ----------
(100,858) (101,421)
---------- ----------
Total liabilities (116,340) (109,669)
========== ==========
Net assets 125,443 128,671
========== ==========
Equity
Share capital 18,642 18,642
Share premium account 51,721 51,721
Capital redemption reserve 45 45
Other reserve 1,102 1,002
Retained earnings 53,933 57,261
-------- --------
Total Equity 125,443 128,671
======== ========
Net assets per share 3 67.3p 69.0p
======== ========
Real Estate Investors plc
Consolidated statement of cash flows
For the year ended 31 December 2019
2019 2018
GBP000 GBP000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit after taxation 3,663 8,289
Adjustments for:
Depreciation 5 6
Net deficit/(surplus) on valuation of investment property 4,349 (578)
(Surplus)/loss on sale of investment property (8) 42
Share based payment 100 (148)
Finance income (41) (31)
Finance costs 3,554 3,713
Loss/(surplus) on financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss 41 (706)
Income tax charge - 113
Increase in inventories (16) (56)
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables (146) 1,386
Increase in trade and other payables 113 1,504
--------- ---------
Net cash from operating activities 11,614 13,534
--------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of investment properties (10,384) (16,742)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (2) (5)
Proceeds from sale of investment properties 2,008 5,659
Interest received 41 31
--------- ---------
(8,337) (11,057)
--------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities
Interest paid (3,554) (3,713)
Hedge payment - (153)
Equity dividends paid (6,874) (6,291)
Proceeds from new bank loans 8,500 14,570
Payment of bank loans (2,100) (386)
--------- ---------
(4,028) 4,027
--------- ---------
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents (751) 6,504
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts at beginning of period 10,843 4,339
--------- ---------
Cash, cash equivalents and bank overdrafts at end of period 10,092 10,843
========= =========
NOTES:
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in hand and balances with banks only.
Real Estate Investors plc
Notes to the preliminary announcement
For the year ended 31 December 2019
1. Basis of preparation
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of properties and financial instruments held at fair value through the profit and loss account, and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adopted by the European Union.
It should be noted that accounting estimates and assumptions are used in preparation of the financial statements. Although these estimates are based on management's best knowledge and judgement of current events and actions, actual results may differ from those estimates. The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the financial statements, are set out in the Group's annual report and financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries made up to 31 December each year. Material intra-group balances and transactions, and any unrealised gains arising from intra-group transactions, are eliminated on consolidation. Unrealised losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.
The principal accounting policies are detailed in the Group's annual report and financial statements.
Going concern
The Group has prepared and reviewed forecasts and made appropriate enquiries which indicate that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. These enquiries considered the following:
-- the significant cash balances the Group holds and the low levels of historic and projected operating cashflows
-- any property purchases will only be completed if cash resources or loans are available to complete those purchases
-- the Group's bankers have indicated their continuing support for the Group. The Group's GBP20 million facility with Lloyds Banking Group was renewed for five years in December 2018 and a new five year facility of GBP10 million was agreed in August 2018 with Royal Bank of Scotland, and a new four year facility of GBP8.5 million was agreed in December 2019 with Barclays Bank.
For these reasons, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
2. Gross profit
2019 2018
GBP000 GBP000
Revenue - Rental income 16,401 15,166
* Surrender premiums 195 476
16,596 15,642
-------- --------
Cost of sales - Direct costs (1,485) (1,478)
15,111 14,164
======== ========
3. Earnings per share
The calculation of earnings per share is based on the result for the year after tax and on the weighted average number of shares in issue during the year.
Reconciliations of the earnings and the weighted average numbers of shares used in the calculations are set out below.
2019 2018
Average Average
number of Earnings per number of Earnings
Earnings shares Share Earnings shares per share
GBP000 GBP000
Basic earnings per share 3,663 186,420,598 1.96p 8,289 186,420,598 4.45p
Diluted earnings per share 3,663 190,176,814 1.93p 8,289 189,552,547 4.37p
============================ ========= ============ ============= =========== ============ ===========
The European Public Real Estate Association indices below have been included in the financial statements to allow more effective comparisons to be drawn between the Group and other business in the real estate sector.
EPRA EPS per share
2019 2018
Earnings per Earnings
Earnings Shares Share Earnings Shares per share
GBP000 No p GBP000 No P
Basic earnings per share 3,663 186,420,598 2.47 8,289 186,420,598 4.45
Net (loss)/surplus on
valuation of investment
properties 4,349 (578)
(Surplus)/loss on disposal of
investment properties (8) 42
Change in fair value of
derivatives 41 (706)
Deferred tax - 135
--------- -----------
EPRA earnings per share 8,045 186,420,598 4.32 7,182 186,420,598 3.85
========= ===========
EPRA NAV per share
2019 2018
Net asset Net asset
value per value per
Net assets Shares share Net assets Shares share
GBP000 No P GBP000 No P
Basic 125,443 186,420,598 67.3 128,671 186,420,598 69.0
Dilutive impact of share options and
warrants - 3,756,216 - 3,131,949
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
Diluted 125,443 190,176,814 66.0 128,671 189,552,547 67.9
Adjustment to fair value of
derivatives 3,051 - 3,010 -
Deferred tax (405) - (405) -
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
EPRA NAV 128,089 190,176,814 67.4 131,276 189,552,547 69.3
Adjustment to fair value of
derivatives (3,051) - (3,010) -
Deferred tax 405 - 405 -
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
EPRA NNNAV 125,443 190,176,814 66.0 128,671 189,552,547 67.9
----------- ------------ ----------- ------------
4. Investment properties
Investment properties are those held to earn rentals and for capital appreciation.
The carrying amount of investment properties for the periods presented in the consolidated financial statements is reconciled as follows:
GBP000
Carrying amount at 1 January 2018 209,421
Additions - acquisition of new properties 16,176
Additions - subsequent expenditure 568
Disposals (5,703)
Change in fair value 578
--------
Carrying amount at 31 December 2018 221,040
Additions - acquisition of new properties 9,723
Additions - subsequent expenditure 661
Disposals (2,000)
Change in fair value (4,349)
Carrying amount at 31 December 2019 225,075
========
5. Publication
The financial information set out in this preliminary announcement does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The consolidated statement of financial position at 31 December 2019 and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the consolidated statement of changes in equity, the consolidated statement of cash flows and the associated notes for the year then ended have been extracted from the Group's financial statements upon which the auditor's opinion is unqualified and does not include any statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting.
6. Copies of the announcement
Copies of this announcement are available for collection from the Company's offices at 2(nd) Floor, 75-77 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2AP and from the Company's website at www.reiplc.com . The report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2019 are available from the Company's website and will be posted to shareholders in April 2020.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
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