RNS Number : 8727M
Mountview Estates PLC
20 November 2024
 

Mountview Estates P.L.C.

Half Year Report

20 November 2024

 

 

MOUNTVIEW ESTATES P.L.C.

 

("Mountview" or "the Group" or "the Company")

 

UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE HALF YEAR ENDED 30 SEPTEMBER 2024

 

Mountview is pleased to announce its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 September 2024.

 

 

OUR PERFORMANCE

 

Turnover at £37.4 million down by 4.6% (2023 - £39.2m)

 

Gross profit at £23.1 million down by 4.5% (2023 - £24.2m)

 

Profit before tax at £18.1 million down by 9.0% (2023 - £19.9m)

 

Earnings per share at 347.9 pence down by 9.1% (2023 - 382.7p)

 

Net assets per share at £103.2 up by 1.7% (2023 - £101.5)

 

 

 

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 - 20 February 2025

 

Record date - 21 February 2025

 

Payment date - 31 March 2025

 

 

 

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S STATEMENT

 

At the Annual General Meeting held on 14 August 2024 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 UK Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority on 18 November 2024, 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

The economic difficulties being suffered throughout the country have contributed to the Company's gross profit for the six months ended 30 September 2024 decreasing by 4.5% and profit before tax by 9.0%.

Although interest rates have been reduced slightly in recent months, they are still at levels last experienced over ten years ago and are a significant factor in our increased costs. Our purchasing activity, which is the future of the Company, has remained strong during these six months and we continue to be offered further opportunities. Our financial strength should enable us to take advantage of the best of these, but we will not compromise our financial prudence.

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 in 2022 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 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 31 March 2025 to shareholders on the Register of Members as at 21 February 2025.

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

20 November 2024

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  

for the half year ended 30 September 2024

 

 

 

Unaudited

Unaudited

Audited

 

Half year ended 30.09.2024

£000

Half year

ended

30.09.2023

£000

Year

ended

31.03.2024

£000

 

 

 



 

 


Revenue

37,416

39,236

79,472


 



Cost of Sales

(14,352)

(15,007)

(31,023)


 



Gross Profit

23,064

24,229

48,449


 



Administrative expenses

(2,767)

(2,718)

(7,006)


 



Gain on sale of investment properties

192

-

-

 

 



Operating profit before changes in

 



fair value of investment properties

20,489

21,511

41,443


 



Increase in fair value of investment properties

-

-

153

 

 



Profit from operations

20,489

21,511

41,596


 



Net finance costs

(2,389)

(1,609)

(3,710)


 



Profit before taxation

18,100

19,902

37,886

 

 



Taxation - current

(4,809)

(4,982)

(9,429)

Taxation - deferred

272

-

(38)

 

 



Taxation total

(4,537)

(4,982)

(9,467)


 



Profit attributable to equity shareholders and total comprehensive income

13,563

14,920

28,419

 

 



Basic and diluted earnings per share (pence)

347.9p

382.7p

728.9p

 

 

 


 

 

All items within the consolidated statement of comprehensive income relate to continuing operations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

for the half year ended 30 September 2024

 


Unaudited

Half year ended

Unaudited

Half year ended

Audited

Year ended


30.09.2024

30.09.2023

31.03.2024


£000

£000

£000

Assets

 



Non-current assets

 



Property, plant and equipment

1,405

1,464

1,440

Investment properties

24,335

25,415

25,568


25,740

26,879

27,008


 



Current assets

 



Inventories of trading properties

459,624

442,231

446,398

Trade and other receivables

1,571

2,593

1,479

Cash and cash equivalents

929

1,908

739


462,124

446,732

448,616

 

 



Total assets

487,864

473,611

475,624

 

 



Equity and liabilities

 



 

 



Capital and reserves attributable

 



to equity holders of the Company

 



 

 



Share capital

195

195

195

Capital reserve

25

25

25

Capital redemption reserve

55

55

55

Other reserves

56

56

56

Retained earnings

402,142

395,550

399,301


402,473

395,881

399,632

 

 



Non-current liabilities

 



Long-term borrowings

77,300

66,200

66,500

Deferred tax

5,532

5,766

5,805


82,832

71,966

72,305


 



Current liabilities

 



Trade and other payables

842

841

2,303

Current tax payable

1,717

4,923

1,384


2,559

5,764

3,687

 

 



Total liabilities

85,391

77,730

75,992

 

 



Total equity and liabilities

487,864

473,611

475,624

 

 

 



 

 

CONSOLIDATED CASHFLOW STATEMENT

for the half year ended 30 September 2024

 


 

Unaudited

Half year

Unaudited

Half year

Audited

Year


 

ended

ended

ended


 

30.09.2024

30.09.2023

31.03.2024


 

£000

£000

£000

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 




 

 



Profit from operations

 

20,489

21,511

41,596

Adjustment for:

 

 



Depreciation

 

28

29

53

Gain on sale of investment properties

 

(192)

-

-

Increase in fair value of investment properties

 

-

-

(153)


 

 




 

 



Operating cash flows before movement in working capital

 

 

20,325

21,540

41,496

 

 

 



 

 

 



Increase in inventories

 

(13,226)

(19,489)

(23,656)

(Increase)/Decrease in receivables

 

(92)

4,063

5,177

(Decrease)/Increase in payables

 

(1,461)

(1,143)

319


 

 



Cash generated from operations

 

 

5,546

4,971

23,336

 

 

 



Interest paid

 

(2,389)

(1,609)

(3,710)

Income taxes paid

 

(4,470)

(1,923)

(9,908)


 

 



Net cash (Outflow)/Inflow from operating activities

 

 

(1,313)

1,439

9,718

 

Investing activities

 

 



Proceeds from disposals of investment properties

 

1,425

-

-

Net cash inflow from investing activities

 

1,425

-

-

 

 

 



 

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 



 

 

 



Increase in borrowings

 

10,800

9,500

9,800

Equity dividend paid

 

(10,722)

(9,747)

(19,495)


 

 



Net cash Inflow/(Outflow) from financing activities

 

 

78

(247)

(9,695)

 

 

 



Net Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

190

1,192

23

 

 

 



Opening cash and cash equivalents

 

739

716

716


 

 



Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

929

1,908

739

 

 

 



 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

for the half year ended 30 September 2024

 

 


Unaudited

Half year

Unaudited

Half year

Audited

Year


ended

ended

ended


30.09.2024

30.09.2023

31.03.2024


£000

£000

£000






 



Shareholders' funds as at the beginning of the period 

399,632

 

390,708

390,708


 



Profit for the period

13,563

14,920

28,419


 



Dividends

(10,722)

(9,747)

(19,495)


 



Shareholders' funds at the end of the period

402,473

395,881

399,632

 

 

 

 

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 2024 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 2024.

 

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 2024 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 20 November 2024. 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.

 

 

 

~ Ends ~

 

 

 

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