Mountview Estates P.L.C.
Half Year Report
23 November 2023
MOUNTVIEW ESTATES P.L.C.
("Mountview" or "the Group" or "the Company")
UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2023
Mountview is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2023.
OUR PERFORMANCE
Turnover at £39.2 million up by 5.5% (2022 - £37.2m)
Gross profit at £24.2 million up by 13.9% (2022 - £21.3m)
Profit before tax at £19.9 million up by 9.3% (2022 - £18.2m)
Earnings per share at 382.7 pence up by 1.1% (2022 - 378.4p)
Net assets per share at £101.5 down by 0.7% (2022 - £102.2)
DIVIDEND INFORMATION
Mountview Estates P.L.C. advises its shareholders that, following the issue of the interim results, the relevant dates in respect of the interim dividend payment of 250p per share are as follows:
Ex-dividend date - 15 February 2024
Record date - 16 February 2024
Payment date - 25 March 2024
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S STATEMENT
At the Annual General Meeting held on 9 August 2023 those shareholders deemed to be independent exercised their right to reject the re-election of Mr. Anthony Powell and Ms. Mhairi Archibald as independent non-Executive Directors. At the General Meeting held in accordance with the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority on 20 November 2023, when all shareholders were entitled to vote, it was resolved to re-elect Mr. Anthony Powell and Ms. Mhairi Archibald as Directors of the Company. Thus the status quo is maintained.
TRADING
Despite the economic difficulties being suffered throughout the country the Company's gross profit for the six months ended 30 September 2023 has increased by 13.9% and profit before tax by 9.3%. The rise of over 30% in corporation tax from 19% to 25% is the main, if not only, reason that earnings per share have risen only by 1.1%.
Our purchasing activity has remained strong during these six months and our financial strength should enable us to continue to take advantage of good purchasing opportunities.
With a staff of less than thirty we are a tiny company but the increased taxation and the ever expanding regulatory and administrative burden imposed by various authorities is disproportionate to a company of this size. We will not abandon our financial prudence, but I am determined that we shall protect our staff from the worst economic misfortunes. Many of our staff have been loyal to the Company for many years and they deserve our loyalty.
INTERIM DIVIDEND
In March 2022 and March 2023 the Company paid an exceptional interim dividend totalling 500p per share but it would not be possible to continue at this level without compromising the Company's financial prudence. At this time last year I advised that it would be prudent to only anticipate an interim dividend payable in March 2024 at the increased basic rate of 250p per share.
The Company has continued to make good purchases which are the future of the Company and so an interim dividend of 250p per share is the prudent option and still represents a good return on your investment.
This dividend is payable on 25 March 2024 to shareholders on the Register of Members as at 16 February 2024.
OUTLOOK
We live in difficult times, but I believe that this Company will continue to prosper and can continue to care for its staff and its shareholders.
D.M. Sinclair
Chief Executive Officer
23 November 2023
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
for the half year ended 30 September 2023
| Half year ended 30.09.2023 £000 | Half year ended 30.09.2022 £000 | Year ended 31.03.2023 £000 | |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
Revenue | 39,236 | 37,192 | 73,593 | |
|
| | | |
Cost of Sales | (15,007) | (15,912) | (32,993) | |
|
| | | |
Gross Profit | 24,229 | 21,280 | 40,600
| |
|
| | | |
Administrative expenses | (2,718) | (2,734) | (6,592) | |
|
| | | |
|
| | | |
|
| | | |
Operating profit before changes in |
| | | |
fair value of investment properties | 21,511 | 18,546 | 34,008 | |
|
| | | |
(Decrease) in fair value of investment properties | - | - | (36) | |
|
| | | |
Profit from operations | 21,511 | 18,546 | 33,972
| |
Net finance costs | (1,609) | (336)
| (1,208) | |
|
| | | |
Profit before taxation | 19,902 | 18,210 | 32,764 | |
|
| | | |
Taxation - current | (4,982) | (3,455) | (6,233) | |
Taxation - deferred | - | - | (66) | |
|
| | | |
Taxation | (4,982) | (3,455) | (6,299) | |
|
| | | |
Profit attributable to equity shareholders and total comprehensive income | 14,920 | 14,755 | 26,465 | |
|
| | | |
Basic and diluted earnings per share (pence) | 382.7p | 378.4p | 678.8p | |
|
|
| | |
All items within the consolidated statement of comprehensive income relate to continuing operations.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)
for the half year ended 30 September 2023
| Half year ended | Half year ended | Year ended |
| 30.09.2023 | 30.09.2022 | 31.03.2023 |
| £000 | £000 | £000 |
Assets |
| | |
Non-current assets |
| | |
Property, plant and equipment | 1,464 | 1,517 | 1,493 |
Investment properties | 25,415 | 25,451 | 25,415 |
| 26,879 | 26,968 | 26,908 |
|
| | |
Current assets |
| | |
Inventories of trading properties | 442,231 | 406,812 | 422,742 |
Trade and other receivables | 2,593 | 1,684 | 6,656 |
Cash and cash equivalents | 1,908 | 1,628 | 776 |
| 446,732 | 410,124 | 430,174 |
|
| | |
|
| | |
Total assets | 473,611 | 437,092 | 457,082 |
|
| | |
Equity and liabilities |
| | |
|
| | |
Capital and reserves attributable |
| | |
to equity holders of the Company |
| | |
|
| | |
Share capital | 195 | 195 | 195 |
Capital redemption reserve | 55 | 55 | 55 |
Capital reserve | 25 | 25 | 25 |
Other reserves | 56 | 56 | 56 |
Retained earnings | 395,550 | 398,163 | 390,377 |
| 395,881 | 398,494 | 390,708 |
|
| | |
Non-current liabilities |
| | |
Long-term borrowings | 66,200 | 28,700 | 56,700 |
Deferred tax | 5,766 | 5,700 | 5,766 |
| 71,966 | 34,400 | 62,466 |
|
| | |
Current liabilities |
| | |
Bank overdrafts and other short term loans | - | - | 60 |
Trade and other payables | 841 | 889 | 1,984 |
Current tax payable | 4,923 | 3,309 | 1,864 |
| 5,764 | 4,198 | 3,908 |
|
| | |
|
| | |
Total liabilities | 77,730 | 38,598 | 66,374 |
|
| | |
| 473,611 | 437,092 | 457,082 |
|
| | |
CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)
for the half year ended 30 September 2023
|
| Half year | Half year | Year |
|
| ended | ended | ended |
|
| 30.09.2023 | 30.09.2022 | 31.03.2023 |
|
| £000 | £000 | £000 |
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
Profit from operations |
| 21,511 | 18,546 | 33,972 |
Adjustment for: |
|
| | |
Depreciation |
| 29 | 29 | 53 |
Decrease in fair value of investment properties |
|
- |
- |
36 |
|
|
| | |
Operating cash flows before movement in working capital
|
| 21,540 | 18,575 | 34,061 |
|
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
(Increase) in inventories |
| (19,489) | (13,537) | (29,467) |
Decrease/(Increase) in receivables |
| 4,063 | (358) | (5,330) |
(Decrease)/Increase in payables |
| (1,143) | (581) | 514 |
|
|
| | |
Cash generated from operations
|
| 4,971 | 4,099 | (222) |
|
|
| | |
Interest paid |
| (1,609) | (336) | (1,208) |
Income taxes paid |
| (1,923) | (2,531) | (6,754) |
|
|
| | |
Net cash Inflow/(Outflow) from operating activities |
| 1,439 | 1,232 | (8,184)
|
|
|
| | |
Cash flows from financing activities |
|
| | |
|
|
| | |
Increase of borrowings |
| 9,500 | 9,500 | 37,500 |
Equity dividend paid |
| (9,747) | (9,747) | (29,243) |
|
|
| | |
Net cash (Outflow)/Inflow from financing activities
|
| (247) | (247) | 8,257 |
|
|
| | |
Net Increase in cash and cash equivalents |
| 1,192 | 985 | 73 |
|
|
| | |
Opening cash and cash equivalents |
| 716 | 643 | 643 |
|
|
| | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
| 1,908 | 1,628 | 716 |
|
|
| | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
for the half year ended 30 September 2023
| Half year | Half year | Year |
| ended | ended | ended |
| 30.09.2023 | 30.09.2022 | 31.03.2023 |
| £000 | £000 | £000 |
| | | |
|
| | |
Shareholders' funds as at the beginning of the period | 390,708 |
393,486 | 393,486 |
|
| | |
Profit for the period | 14,920 | 14,755 | 26,465 |
|
| | |
Dividends | (9,747) | (9,747) | (28,243) |
|
| | |
Shareholders' funds at the end of the period | 395,881 | 398,494 | 390,708 |
Notes to the Half Year Report
Basis of preparation
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34 (IAS 34) "Interim Financial Reporting". The condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 which have been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standards.
The accounting policies used are consistent with those contained in the Group's last Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023.
The Directors have reviewed the current and projected financial position of the Group and are satisfied that the Group has adequate resources to cover all liabilities becoming payable for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the half year report.
Basis of consolidation
The Group's financial statements incorporate the results of Mountview Estates P.L.C. and all of its subsidiary undertakings made up to the reporting date.
Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group.
Control is recognised when the Group is exposed to, or has rights to, variable returns from its investment in the entity and has the ability to affect these returns through its power over the relevant activities of the entity.
On acquisition, the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities of a subsidiary are measured at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The purchase method has been used in consolidating the subsidiary financial statements.
All significant inter-company transactions balances and unrealised gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated on consolidation within the consolidated accounts.
Consistent accounting policies have been used across the Group.
Status of the interim financial information
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements are unaudited and do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The Group's published financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2023 have been reported on by the Group's auditors and filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified and did not contain any statement under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.
The condensed consolidated interim financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 23 November 2023. The preparation of the interim financial information requires management to make assumptions and estimates about future events which are uncertain, the actual outcome of which may result in a materially different outcome from that anticipated.
Availability of the Half Year Report
Copies of this statement are being sent to Shareholders. Copies may be obtained from the Company's registered office or from the Company's website - www.mountviewplc.co.uk.
This announcement contains inside information as stipulated under the UK version of the Market Abuse Regulation No 596/2014 which is part of English Law by virtue of the European (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended. On publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this information is considered to be in the public domain.
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