17YE Plat Hg Fin 55

TIDM17YE

RNS Number : 8607O

Platform HG Financing PLC

18 February 2021

18 February 2021

 
Platform HG Financing Plc 
 
 Platform Housing Group's trading update covering the 9-month period to 
 December 2020 
 

The following report provides a trading update for Platform Housing Group, covering our unaudited financial performance, development and treasury activities.

Highlights

-- The last quarter saw the continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our key priority throughout continues to be the safety and wellbeing of our residents and employees

-- Whilst a second lockdown was in force during the quarter, the effect on our operations was less severe than the first lockdown in the spring with normal levels of activity largely in operation across the business

-- Financial performance remains robust with turnover increasing by 3.3% to GBP200.4m (2019: GBP194m)

   --   Operating surplus increased 4.0% to GBP77.1m (2019: GBP74.1m) 
   --   Shared ownership sales performance was strong and the number of unsold homes reduced 
 
 At or for nine months ended 31             2019        2020     Change 
  December 
-----------------------------------   ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
 Turnover                              GBP194.0m   GBP200.4m      +3.3% 
 Operating surplus(1)                   GBP74.1m    GBP77.1m      +4.0% 
 New homes completed                       1,109         642     -42.1% 
 Investment in new and existing 
  homes                                GBP173.8m   GBP155.9m     -10.3% 
 Share of turnover from social 
  housing lettings                         83.8%       84.4%    +0.6ppt 
 Social housing lettings margin(2)         41.8%       44.7%    +2.9ppt 
 Current tenant arrears(3)              3.59%(4)       3.12%   -0.47ppt 
 Gearing(2)                             43.5%(4)       42.8%    -0.7ppt 
 EBITDA-MRI interest cover(2)            203%(4)        226%     +23ppt 
------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  --------- 
 

Notes

   (1)   Surplus excluding gains on disposal of property, plant and equipment 
   (2)   Regulator for Social Housing Value for Money metric; for more information go to https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/value-for-money-metrics-technical-note/value-for-money-metrics-technical-note-guidance-june-2020 

(3) Current tenant arrears includes all general needs tenants (so excludes shared ownership properties) and tenant payment methods

(4) Current tenant arrears is as at 31 December 2019, gearing and EBITDA-MRI interest cover ratios are as at 31 March 2020

Elizabeth Froude, Platform's CEO commented:

"In this last quarter we have yet again seen ourselves adapting to the loosening of lockdown and the re-instatement of it. Despite this we have again remained true to our strategic direction, whilst protecting our residents, staff and financial strength. It is pleasing to report that we are still delivering consistent and strong results and our current direction of travel means we should deliver a full year operating surplus consistent with last year.

"Throughout the period we continued letting and selling homes and the reservations on our new homes continue at strength. Looking ahead, we continue to make progress on acquiring development sites to build more quality homes to help address the huge demand for housing.

"We have also continued to move forward with our organisational restructuring and delivery of digital functionality and remain close to our original plans and timelines, efficiencies and new functionality for our customers. Our proactive engagement with residents has ensured we retain sight of where we are most needed and able to provide additional support. Consequently, we have been able to maintain good income collection, closing the quarter with lower arrears than those in the same period in FY 2019/20.

"We are now looking forward to our plans for 2021/22 and developing our new Corporate Strategy for 2021-2026. Key components of this are continued investment in both wider digital services for customers and, the maintenance and improved energy efficiency of our homes. We are adapting our plans to accommodate the latest government policy statements and the social housing white paper (charter for social housing residents), but do not see this as diverting our original strategic direction as a committed social landlord.

"In order to support the Corporate Strategy, we are progressing the roll out of our treasury strategy, pushing ahead with the establishment of an ESG enabled EMTN programme, and underlining our credit strength through a second (A+ negative outlook) credit rating with Fitch, which aligns with our recently re-affirmed A+ (stable) rating with Standard and Poors.

"I thank our investor base for their continued support and I am certain the consistency of our results reflects the stability of the organisation and the information we presented when we came to market in July 2020."

Financial review

Turnover

In the 9 months to 31 December 2020, total turnover grew 3.3% to GBP200.4m (2019: GBP194m).

Social housing lettings turnover increased 4.1% to GBP169.2m (2019: GBP162.5m), as a result of the first inflationary rental increases for four years, a year-on-year increase in social housing units and an increase in other grants due to furlough receipts. This growth was held back slightly by higher voids driven by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shared ownership first tranche sales continue to perform well, with November 2020 experiencing the highest number of reservations for the year despite the second national lockdown. Turnover from shared ownership sales of GBP21.4m to December 2020 is only 0.9% lower than the prior year figure of GBP21.6m.

Total social housing turnover of GBP190.6m (2019: GBP184.1m) accounted for 95.1% (2019: 94.9%) of Platform's total turnover in the period.

Surpluses and margins

Operating surpluses excluding fixed assets sales increased by 4.0% to GBP77.1m (2019: 74.1m) and operating surpluses including sales increased by 4.2% to GBP81.0m (2019: GBP77.7m). This growth was as a result of turnover growth as outlined above in combination with lower maintenance activity during the first period of lockdown. These factors also drove a 2.9% increase in our core social housing lettings margins to 44.7% (2019: 41.8%). The slowdown in maintenance activity has provided the opportunity to focus on our strategic ambitions in relation to carbon neutrality in future years.

Operating margins from all activities increased by 0.3% to 40.4% (2019: 40.1%). These margins were held back by a larger proportion of shared ownership sales activity taking place in lower value areas, which has resulted in a reduction in sales margins of 7.7% to 17.2% (2019: 25%).

The overall surplus after tax, which takes into account (in comparison with operating surplus measures) interest costs, increased by 2.2% to GBP41.2m (2019: GBP40.3m). Margins on surplus after tax decreased by 0.2% to 20.6% (2019: 20.8%) largely due to the consolidation of the Group's interest capitalisation policies (following amalgamation of Waterloo Housing Group Limited and Fortis Living Limited in December 2019). This resulted in a GBP2.6m reduction in the capitalisation of interest to GBP2.1m (2019: GBP4.7m).

Outlook

The projected performance for the year to March 2021 is expected to incorporate both catch up on maintenance expenditures and the potentially adverse effects of COVID-19 and the uncertainty surrounding the United Kingdom's departure from the European Union. This will see metrics move more into line with those experienced in the prior year.

Development review

Home building programme

During quarter three our home building programme progressed steadily but with some impact from COVID-19 felt on activities where contractors were affected by staff shortages as a result of self-isolations. We completed 248 new homes in the quarter, taking total completions for the nine months to December to 642 (2019: 901). These were all for affordable tenures - 31% for social rent, 32% for affordable rent and 37% for shared ownership. Whilst this was down from 1,109 in the prior year, the shortfall was significantly influenced by the COVID-19 lockdown, particularly in the first quarter where completions of 109 were 203 lower than the 312 completions recorded in the same quarter from the previous year. At 31 December 2020, Platform owned a total of 46,046 homes (31 March 2020: 45,510 homes).

Development expenditure on new homes was GBP151m in the period, 8.5% lower than the in the prior year (2019: GBP165m). The reduction in expenditures is not as large as the reduction in unit completions noted above because COVID-19 has had a more significant effect on handovers in comparison to construction and in addition, there has been greater investment in large sites in the current year in comparison to the prior. In the quarter Platform purchased a large site in the West Midlands that had full planning permission to develop 80 homes. Development on the site started in the same quarter.

There were 92 properties completed for sale on a shared ownership basis in the quarter (2019: 185). Unsold shared ownership units at the start of the quarter of 211, combined with 94 sales (2019: 117) resulted in a continued decline in the number of unsold units to 209 in December 2020 (March 2020: 241 units).

Outlook

Platform continues to look towards land led housing development sites across the Group's operating area, to support our ambition to deliver a growing building programme. Forecast outturn has been revised to 1,000 from 1,100 home completions, 100 units lower than anticipated at the half year, as the result of a COVID-19 driven reduction in activity.

Treasury review

Recent financing activity

Following the success of our inaugural GBP350m bond issue in July 2020, Platform is on course to successfully implement the next stage of its debt capital markets strategy, establishing a GBP1bn EMTN programme. The programme is expected to provide the capability to issue sustainability linked bonds and will help to fund affordable housing developments and carbon reduction initiatives over the next three to five years.

Ratings activity

Standard and Poor's re-affirmed our A+ (stable) credit rating shortly after the period, reflecting our continuing credit strength and commitment to sustainable growth. In addition, we have obtained a second credit rating with Fitch, A+ (negative outlook) that concurs with S&P's assessment. The outlook provided by Fitch is linked to the UK Sovereign outlook (which is negative) and not linked to Platform's future expected trading performance.

Debt and liquidity

At 31 December 2020, Platform's net debt was GBP1,104.3m (31 March 2020: GBP1,076.2m). Net debt comprised nominal values of GBP576.6m in bond issues, GBP80.0m in private placements and GBP646.5m in term loan and revolving credit facilities, partially offset by GBP189m in cash and cash equivalents and GBP9.8m in unamortised financing fees and other accounting adjustments.

Platform had sufficient liquidity as at 31 December 2020 (approximately GBP750m including undrawn committed facilities and cash and cash equivalents) to meet all its forecast needs until half way through 2023, taking into account projected operating cash flows, forecast investment in new and existing properties, debt service costs and maturities and forecast grant receipts.

Financial ratios

Platform monitors its performance against various financial ratios, including Value for Money metrics reported to the Regulator of Social Housing and ratios it needs to comply with under its financing arrangements.

Gearing, measured as the ratio of net debt to the net book value of housing properties, was 42.8% at 31 December 2020 (31 March 2020: 43.5%), comfortably within Platform's target of maintaining gearing below 50%. Gearing was also comfortably within the tightest financial covenant in its banking arrangements that is determined using the gross book value of housing properties.

EBITDA-MRI interest cover for the 9 months to 31 December 2020 was 226% (year ended 31 March 2020: 203%). This ratio has been positively affected by reduced maintenance expenditures experienced during the first lockdown. It remains well above Platform's guideline minimum (150%) and tightest financial covenant in its banking arrangements (which is determined on a different basis, p roviding a slightly higher level of interest cover ).

The ratios have been favourably impacted by lower development and capitalised repairs expenditures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is expected that by the year end capital programmes will experience an element of catch up, resulting in reductions to the current positions.

For more information please contact:

Investor enquiries

Ben Colyer - +44 7918 160990 / +44 1684 579 566

investors@platformhg.com

Media enquiries

media@platformhg.com

Disclaimer

These materials have been prepared by Platform Housing solely for use in publishing and presenting its results in respect of the nine months ended 31 December 2020.

These materials do not constitute or form part of and should not be construed as, an offer to sell or issue, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or acquire securities of Platform Housing in any jurisdiction or an inducement to enter into investment activity. No part of these materials, nor the fact of their distribution, should form the basis of, or be relied on or in connection with, any contract or commitment or investment decision whatsoever. Neither should the materials be construed as legal, tax, financial, investment or accounting advice. This information presented herein does not comprise a prospectus for the purposes of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the "Prospectus Regulation") and/or Part VI of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

These materials contain statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations, business and future prospects of Platform Housing that are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There are a number of factors that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including many factors outside Platform Housing's control. Among other risks and uncertainties, the material or principal factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are: the general economic, business, political and social conditions in the key markets in which Platform Housing operates; the ability of Platform Housing to manage regulatory and legal matters; the reliability of Platform Housing's technological infrastructure or that of third parties on which it relies; interruptions in Platform Housing's supply chain and disruptions to its development activities; Platform Housing's reputation; and the recruitment and retention of key management. No representations are made as to the accuracy of such forward looking statements, estimates or projections or with respect to any other materials herein. Actual results may vary from the projected results contained herein.

These materials contain certain information which has been prepared in reliance on publicly available information (the "Public Information"). Numerous assumptions may have been used in preparing the Public Information, which may or may not be reflected herein. Actual events may differ from those assumed and changes to any assumptions may have a material impact on the position or results shown by the Public Information. As such, no assurance can be given as to the Public Information's accuracy, appropriateness or completeness in any particular context, or as to whether the Public Information and/or the assumptions upon which it is based reflect present market conditions or future market performance. Platform Housing does not make any representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the Public Information.

These materials are believed to be in all material respects accurate, although it has not been independently verified by Platform and does not purport to be all-inclusive. The information and opinions contained in these materials do not purport to be comprehensive, speak only as of the date of this announcement and are subject to change without notice. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, Platform Housing expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any information contained herein to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such information is based.

None of Platform Housing, its advisers nor any other person shall have any liability whatsoever, to the fullest extent permitted by law, for any loss arising from any use of the materials or its contents or otherwise arising in connection with the materials. No representations or warranty is given as to the achievement or reasonableness of any projections, estimates, prospects or returns contained in these materials or any other information. Neither Platform nor any other person connected to it shall be liable (whether in negligence or otherwise) for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage suffered by any person as a result of relying on any statement in or omission from these materials or any other information and any such liability is expressly disclaimed.

Any reference to "Platform" or "Platform Housing" means Platform Housing Group Limited and its subsidiaries from time to time and their respective directors, representatives or employees and/or any persons connected with them.

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February 18, 2021 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)