RNS Number : 5661X
Fletcher King PLC
30 August 2022
 

FLETCHER KING PLC

Audited results for the Year Ending 30 April 2022

 

Highlights

 

·      Revenue for the year of £2,967,000 (2021: £2,264,000)

·      Statutory profit before tax of £134,000 (2021: loss of £834,000)

·      Adjusted profit before tax of £144,000 (2021: loss of £935,000) *

·      Adjusted basic earnings per share of 1.73p (2020: loss of 8.57p) *

·      Final proposed dividend: 0.50p per share (2021: £nil)

·      Significant cash reserves: £3.4m as at 30 April 2022 (2021: £2.9m)

 

*Adjusted results are before share based payment expenses and after other comprehensive income (see note 2).

 

 

The Annual Report and Accounts will shortly be posted on the Company's website and a further announcement will be made when the document is sent to shareholders.

 

Commenting on the results, David Fletcher, chairman of Fletcher King Plc said:

 

"The results for the year are a significant improvement from last year and we are pleased to be able to commence dividend payments again. We have started the new financial year with some encouraging instructions and are optimistic that we can continue our growth pattern".

 

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.

 

 

For further information, please contact:

 


Fletcher King plc

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7493 8400

David Fletcher, Non-Executive Chairman

Peter Bailey, Finance Director




Cairn Financial Advisers LLP

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7213 0880

(Nominated Adviser)


James Caithie

Liam Murray




 




 

 



HAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

 

Results

 

Revenue for the year was £2,967,000 (2021: £2,264,000). Adjusted profit before tax (see note 2) was £144,000 (2021: loss of £935,000). Statutory profit before tax was £134,000 (2021: loss of £834,000).

 

The Board considers the adjusted results to be an important measure of performance and to be more representative of performance for the year than the statutory results (which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards).

 

Dividend

 

The Board is proposing a final dividend of 0.5p per share. The final dividend is subject to shareholder approval at the AGM and will be paid on 28 October 2022 to shareholders on the register at the close of business on 30 September 2022. The ex-dividend date for this payment is 29 September 2022. With no interim dividend paid (2021: £nil per share) the dividend for this year will amount to 0.5p per share (2021: £nil per share).

 

The Commercial Property Market

 

It was encouraging that both the letting and capital markets were considerably more buoyant than the previous year.

 

The impact of Covid on the market has now largely disappeared although numbers back to the office have not yet returned to pre pandemic levels. However no sooner has one world problem diminished than another takes its place in the form of the tragic war in Ukraine and its impact on all economies throughout the world.

 

Despite the continuing levels of uncertainty, the industrial property market continued to perform exceptionally well with rents growing and capital values powering ahead. Over the year, according to MSCI data, total returns in the sector produced an astonishing 42% which compared to retail at 6% and offices at 6.7%.

 

High Street retail continues to be difficult but interestingly the office sector, in both London and major cities throughout the country, is showing strong tenant demand for prime space with potential under supply in some locations.

 

Business Overview

 

As seen from the figures above, the market was significantly better than the previous year but it was not without its ups and downs and a significant level of uncertainty remains in predicting future outcomes.

 

Property and Fund Management had a strong year. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we continued to produce excellent rent collection statistics. We remodelled parts of the portfolios and acquired new clients during the year. Our continued robust performance has fostered long client relationships some of which have been in existence for over fifty years.

 

Bank Valuations showed a marked improvement compared to the previous year and there has been a steady flow of instructions from lenders for whom we have not previously acted.

 

Income from rating appeals was negligible, reflecting a disappointingly low number of appeals settled with the Valuation Office. Hopefully the backlog of appeals will be addressed by the Valuation Office and we can benefit from the significant pipeline of appeals submitted on behalf of our clients.

 

As announced on 4 March 2022, and after a delay in receiving FCA approval, the transaction completed whereby C M Strategic 613 Limited (an investment company of Elliott Bernerd) acquired a 29.99% shareholding in the Company.

 

Our move to new offices in Soho went well and both staff and clients are happy with our new location. We are using our new space more efficiently and there has been a material reduction in our property overhead.

 

Outlook

 

The uncertainties mentioned above together with rising interest rates, inflationary pressures and forecast recession are likely to have a continuing impact on all markets in which the company operates and will affect our ability to accurately forecast the future. However, we are optimistic about our performance for the coming year and we have started it with some excellent sales instructions as well as client funds available to invest in suitable propositions. Our management portfolios are likely to grow both organically and from appointments to advise new clients.

 

We anticipate the volume of valuations will increase during the year and hopefully this will be the year when we return to activity in agreeing rating appeals.

 

Importantly we hope our new significant shareholder will in due course become the source of additional income streams and we await to see the progression of this during the year.

 

Our balance sheet and cash reserves remain strong and have been of immense importance during the difficult times we have experienced over the last two years.

 

Once again, on behalf of all at Fletcher King I would like to thank our loyal clients for their continued support. On behalf of the Board, I also congratulate our outstanding staff for their foresight, expertise, dedication and hard work which is ultimately why our clients appoint us.

 

 

DAVID FLETCHER

CHAIRMAN

30 August 2022

 



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

for the year ended 30 April 2022

 

 

Note

2022

2021

 

 

£000

£000

 


 




 


Revenue

 

2,967

2,264

 

 

 


Employee benefits expense

 

(1,630)

(1,262)

Depreciation expense

 

(346)

(281)

Gain recognised on remeasurement of lease liability

 

125

-

Other operating expenses

Share based payment expense

 

(1,014)

(10)

(1,566)

-

 

 

(2,875)

(3,109)


 

 


Other operating income

 

39

25

Investment income

 

18

-

Finance income

 

-

2

Finance expense

 

(15)

(16)

 

 

 


Profit/(loss) before taxation

 

134

(834)


 

 


 

 



Taxation

 

18

146

 

 

 


Profit/(loss) for the year

 

152

(688)

 

 

 


Other comprehensive income

 

 


Fair value (loss)/gain on financial assets through

 

-

(101)

Other comprehensive income

 

 


 

 

 


Total comprehensive income for the year attributable to equity shareholders

 

 

 

 

152

 

(789)

Earnings per share

 

 


Basic

Diluted

 

4

4

 

1.62p

1.50p

 

(7.47p)

(7.47p)

 

Adjusted earnings per share

 

 


 

 

 


Basic

4

1.73p

(8.57p)

Diluted

 

4

1.60p

(8.57p)


 

 



 

 


 

 

 


 

 



 

 



 

 



 



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

as at 30 April 2022

 

 

 

 

2022

2021

 

£000

£000

 

 


Assets

 


Non-current assets

 


Software

76

-

Property, plant and equipment

266

12

Right-of-use asset

494

272

Financial assets

529

529

Deferred tax assets

32

-


1,397

813

 

 


Current assets

 


Trade and other receivables

1,375

1,148

Corporation tax debtor

97

111

Cash and cash equivalents

3,365

2,892


4,791

4,151


 



 


 

 


Total assets

6,188

4,964

 

 


Liabilities

 


Current liabilities

 


Trade and other payables

1,124

908

Provisions

25

100

Lease liabilities

610

577

 

1,759

1,585

 

 


Non current liabilities

 


Lease liabilities

402

-


 


 

 


Total liabilities

2,161

1,585

 

 


Shareholders' equity

 


Share capital

1,025

921

Share premium

522

140

Investment revaluation reserve

(101)

(101)

Share option reserve

10

-

Retained Earnings

2,571

2,419

Total shareholders' equity

4,027

3,379


 


Total equity and liabilities

6,188

4,964




 

 




CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

for the year ended 30 April 2022

 

 

 

 

2022

2021

 

£000

£000

 

 


Cash flows from operating activities

 


Profit/(loss) before taxation from continuing operations

134

(834)

Adjustments for:

 


Movement in provision

(75)

100

Depreciation and amortisation expense

346

281

Remeasurement of lease liability

(125)

-

Investment income

(18)

-

Finance income

-

(2)

Finance expense

15

16

Share based payment expense

10

-


 


Cash flows from operating activities before

movement in working capital

 


287

(439)


 


Increase in trade and other receivables

(181)

(468)

Increase in trade and other payables

216

219

 

 


Cash generated from / (absorbed by) operations

322

(688)


 


Taxation paid

-

-


 


Net cash flows from operating activities

322

(688)


 


Cash flows from investing activities

 


Purchase of fixed assets

(352)

-

Investment income

18

-

Finance income

-

2

Net cash flows from investing activities

(334)

2


 


Cash flows from financing activities

 


Lease payments

(1)

-

Proceeds of share placing

547

-

Placing costs

(61)

-

Dividends paid to shareholders

-

(46)

Net cash flows from financing activities

485

(46)


 


Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

473

(732)

Cash and cash equivalents at start of year

2,892

3,624

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

3,365

2,892

 

 


 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

For the year ended 30 April 2022

 

 


 

Note

 

Share

capital

 

Share

premium

Investment

Revaluation

Reserve

Share option reserve

 

Retained

Earnings

 

TOTAL

EQUITY

 

 

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000

£000









Balance as at 1 May 2020

 

921

140

-

-

3,153

4,214


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss for the year

 

-

-

-

-

(688)

(688)

Fair value loss on financial assets

through other comprehensive income

 

-

-

(101)

-

-

(101)

Equity dividends paid

2

-

-

-

-

(46)

(46)


 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 30 April 2021

 

921

140

(101)

-

2,419

3,379








 

Total comprehensive income for the year

 

-

-

-

-

152

152

Share issue

 

104

443

-

-

-

547

Cost of share issue

 

-

(61)

-

-

-

(61)

Share based payment expense

 

-

-

-

10

-

10


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 30 April 2022

 

1,025

522

(101)

10

2,571

4,027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 NOTES

 

 

1. General information

 

Whilst the financial information included in this preliminary announcement has been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRSs.

 

The financial information is presented in pounds sterling rounded to the nearest thousand, and prepared in accordance with UK-adopted international accounting standards and under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of certain financial assets. The financial information set out in this announcement does not comprise the Group's statutory accounts for the years ended 30 April 2022 or 30 April 2021.

 

The financial information for the year ended 30 April 2021 is derived from the statutory accounts for that year which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The auditors reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either Section 498 (2) or Section 498 (3) of the Companies Act 2006 and did not include references to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis.

 

The financial information for the year ended 30 April 2022 is derived from the audited statutory accounts for the year ended 30 April 2022 on which the auditors have given an unqualified report, that did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006 and did not include references to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis. The statutory accounts will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's annual general meeting.

 

 

 

2. Alternative performance measures - profit/(loss) reconciliation

 

The reconciliation set out below provides additional information to enable the reader to reconcile to the numbers discussed in the Chairman's Statement and Highlights section.

 

Year ended 30 April

2022

2021

 

£000

£000

 

 


Profit/(loss) before taxation

134

(834)

Add back: Share based payment expense

Include: Fair value (loss)/gain on financial assets through OCI

10

-

-

(101)


 


Adjusted (loss)/profit before share-based payment expense and taxation

144

(935)


 


Taxation

18

146


 


Adjusted profit/(loss) after tax for the year

162

(789)

 

 

The fair value loss on financial assets in the prior year represents the unrealised loss in the year on the revaluation of the Group's interest in the SHIPS 16 syndicate.

 

 


3.  Dividends

 

Year ended 30 April

2022

2021

 

£000

£000

Equity dividends on ordinary shares:

 


Declared and paid during year

 


Ordinary final dividend for the year ended 30 April 2021: nil per share (2020:  0.50p)

-

 

46

 

Interim dividend for the year ended 30 April 2022: nil per share (2021: nil)

-

-


 



-

46


 


Proposed ordinary final dividend for the year ended

30 April 2022: 0.50p per share

 

51

 

 

 

 

4. Earnings per share

 

Number of shares

2022

No

2021

No

 

 


Weighted average number of shares for basic earnings per share

Share options

9,375,425

920,000

9,209,779

-

 

Weighted average number of shares for diluted earnings per share

 

10,129,779

 

 

9,209,779

 


 


 

 

Earnings

 

 

£000

 

 

£000

 

Profit/(loss) after tax for the year

 

152

 

(688)

(used to calculate the basic and diluted earnings per share)

 


Add back: Share based payment expense

10

-

Include: Fair value (loss)/gain on financial assets through OCI

-

(101)


 


Adjusted profit/(loss) after tax for the year

162

(789)

(used to calculate the adjusted basic and diluted earnings per share)

 


 

 

Earnings per share

 

 


Basic

Diluted

1.62p

1.50p

(7.47p)

(7.47p)

 

 

Adjusted earnings per share

 

Basic

Diluted

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.73p

1.60p

 

 

 

 

(8.57p)

(8.57p)

 

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements relating to the Company's operations, performance and financial position based on current expectations of, and assumptions and forecasts made by, management.  They are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any outcomes or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward looking statements.  They are made only as of the date of this announcement and no representation, assurance, guarantee or warranty is given in relation to them including as to their accuracy, completeness, or the basis on which they are made.

 

 

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