TIDMCLI
Embargoed Release: 07:00hrs Wednesday 25 March 2009
CLS Holdings plc
("CLS", the "Company", or the "Group")
Preliminary financial results for the year ended 31 December 2008
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
* Adjusted Net Asset Value per share* 647.2 pence, down by 15.3 per cent from
764.2 pence at 31 December 2007 (Statutory NAV* per share 548.4 pence, down
7.8 per cent from 595.1 pence at 31 December 2007).
* Pro-forma Adjusted Net Asset Value per share* after tender-offer completed
in January 2009 732.1 pence, down by 4.2 per cent from 764.2 pence at 31
December 2007 (Statutory NAV per share 605.0 pence, up 1.7 per cent from
595.1 pence at 31 December 2007). The number of shares in issue at 24 March
2009 is 48,024,256.
* GBP58.9 million or 94.8 pence per share returned to shareholders via
tender-offer including January 09 tender-offer (December 2007: GBP22.6
million or 31.5 pence per share). In addition, market purchases of shares
amounting to GBP12.9 million were made during the year.
* Property portfolio valued at GBP798.8 million, down 32.0 per cent from GBP
1,175.3 million at December 2007 (primarily arising from disposals of GBP
408.1 million, refurbishments of GBP17.2 million, downward revaluations of GBP
103.4 million and foreign exchange gains of GBP118.8 million).
* Net rental income GBP61.3 million, down 7.5 per cent from GBP66.3 million for
the year to 31 December 2007.
* Year end cash GBP195.3 million (December 2007: GBP122.0 million). GBP147.3
million after January 09 tender offer.
* Loss before tax GBP142.2 million after downward revaluations of GBP103.4
million on properties, GBP21.0 million on derivatives, and impairment of
intangibles of GBP22.0 million (December 2007: loss GBP72.6 million after
downward revaluations of GBP68.1 million on properties, GBP1.5 million on
derivatives, and nil impairment of intangibles).
* Loss after tax GBP78.1 million after release of deferred tax liabilities of GBP
67.7 million (December 2007: loss GBP32.9 million after release of deferred
tax liabilities of GBP42.3 million).
* Net foreign exchange gain recognised in reserves GBP40.5 million (December
2007: GBP16.9 million).
* see glossary of terms on page 24
RESULTS AT A GLANCE
31-Dec-08 31-Dec-07 Up/
INCOME STATEMENT (non-statutory format - unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (down)
GBPm GBPm %
Net Rental Income 61.3 66.3 (7.5%)
Other operating income and associate company results (4.9) 7.1 -
Losses on sale of investment properties, (9.2) (2.0) (360.0%)
subsidiaries & associates
Overhead and net property expenses (19.7) (30.9) (36.2%)
Operating profit (excluding losses on investment 27.5 40.5 (32.1%)
properties)
Net finance cost excluding derivatives (22.1) (41.2) (46.4%)
Underlying profit/(loss) (excluding losses on 5.4 (0.7) -
investment properties)
Fair value losses on investment properties (103.4) (68.1) (51.8%)
Other fair value losses on financial instruments (21.0) (1.5) -
Other non-recurring costs (1.2) - -
Impairment of intangibles (22.0) - -
Loss provisions on share sales (transferred from - (2.3) -
other reserves)
Loss before tax (142.2) (72.6) (95.9%)
Tax - current (3.6) (2.6) (38.5%)
Tax - deferred 67.7 42.3 60.0%
Loss for the year (78.1) (32.9) (137.4%)
Adjusted (loss)/earnings per share* (68.6) p 13.8 p
Loss per share (120.7) p (45.8) p
Recurring Interest Cover* (times) 1.3 1.3
31-Dec-08 31-Dec-07 Up/
BALANCE SHEET (non-statutory format) (unaudited) (unaudited) (down)
GBPm GBPm %
Property portfolio 798.8 1,175.3 (32.0%)
Borrowings (601.6) (798.7) (24.7%)
Cash 195.3 122.0 60.1%
Other 7.1 19.1 (62.8%)
Adjusted net assets * 399.6 517.7 (22.8%)
Deferred tax (61.0) (114.6) (46.8%)
Statutory net assets 338.6 403.1 (16.0%)
Share Capital 16.7 18.7 (10.7%)
Reserves 321.9 384.4 (16.3%)
Shareholders' funds 338.6 403.1 (16.0%)
Adjusted NAV per share * 647.2 p 764.2 p (15.3%)
Pro-forma Adjusted NAV per share * after January
tender-offer 732.1 p 764.2 p (4.2%)
Statutory NAV per share * 548.4 p 595.1 p (7.8%)
Distribution per share from tender offer buy-backs 94.8 p 31.5 p 201.0%
Adjusted gearing * 102.6 % 131.7 % (29.1%)
Statutory gearing * 121.1 % 169.1 % (48.0%)
Adjusted solidity * 37.7 % 37.5 % 0.2%
Statutory solidity * 31.5 % 29.1 % 2.4%
Shares in issue (000's) - excl. treasury shares 61,745 67,740 (8.9%)
Shares in issue (000's) - excl. treasury shares,
after January tender offer 48,024 67,740 (29.1%)
* see glossary of terms on page 28
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
In 2008 we have seen unprecedented turmoil in financial markets and the global
economy as a whole. Governments have reacted with attempts to stabilise
conditions and we wait to see whether these reforms and initiatives are
successful.
The real estate market has been badly affected by unavailability of funding and
its consequent effects in terms of substantially lower transactional volumes
and valuations.
Valuations of properties are intended to indicate the price in an open market,
and with low transactional volumes our valuers have indicated that greater
subjectivity is required in arriving at the open market valuation. My personal
view is that open market values generally are proving very difficult to
establish with a reasonable level of accuracy.
The IPD UK index indicates that commercial property capital values have fallen
by 27 per cent over the year, and whilst a number of companies in the UK listed
real estate sector have reported full year falls across their portfolios in
excess of 20 per cent, the CLS portfolio has performed comparatively well
dropping in value by only 13.4 per cent on average. Our portfolio in France has
performed particularly well relative to the local market, and the UK business
has reported falls of below 16 per cent.
Our well-let portfolio offers protection against falling markets, and our
strategic mix of low-vacancy, non-prime location buildings, with a high
proportion of long-term leases to government tenants is now providing
significant defensive benefits. I believe we have a resilient portfolio, with a
relatively low risk of tenant default given our high proportion of government
tenancies (39.8 per cent by rental income).
CLS's strategy of holding property for the medium to long-term and deriving
value from active management means that valuation movements are of less
significance to us than the fundamentals of secure rental income and effective
treasury management.
CLS has always been a well-managed and defensively structured group, evidenced
by our tight cash management, the spreading of risk across European markets and
currencies, and our hands-on, active management of the portfolio.
One consequence of the global recession is that borrowing rates on existing
floating rate debt have fallen. We have 42 per cent of debt on floating rates
and therefore if levels remain at current rates this will increase our
underlying profitability during 2009 and beyond as the interest burden is
lessened substantially.
Companies that are successful over the medium to long term anticipate changing
market conditions and react accordingly. During the second half of 2006, CLS
embarked on a strategy of disposing of property assets, both to crystallise
capital gains made during the preceding years of good market conditions, and
also to free up cash reserves that we felt would be crucial as the downturn
began to take effect.
This strategic decision has meant that over GBP700 million of property has been
disposed of in the last 3 years, the 2008 disposals at a weighted average price
nearly 5 per cent above 2007 year end valuations and significantly boosted our
bank balances. We have returned GBP72 million in cash to shareholders in the last
12 months. This was by way of tender-offer buy-backs totalling GBP59 million in
the latter part of the year and early 2009, and by buying back shares in the
market for GBP13 million, whilst still maintaining strong cash reserves to see us
through the current tightening of credit lines.
We are in discussions with our bankers and loan providers regarding
loan-to-value clauses in loan agreements on several of our properties in
London. We thank them for their continued support and willingness to negotiate
on key terms during these difficult times. We have always maintained good
relationships with our banks, and will work in partnership with them going
forwards to ensure mutually acceptable terms for continued financing.
In France and Germany it is much more difficult for the lender to enforce a
loan-to-value breach if interest, amortisation and agreed interest cover is in
place. This is why in the UK many unnecessary repossessions are taking place,
and a number of our peers based in the UK are genuinely concerned about this
situation. It is hoped that the UK Government will seek to influence banks not
to enforce loan-to-value breaches when all other covenants are being honoured.
We also believe that property yields are now moving towards a level where the
gap between yields and returns on cash deposits are sufficiently wide that
property will once again become a desirable investment alternative.
In common with many businesses, and as a result of the sale of around one third
of the portfolio, the directors have been focussing on reducing the operating
cost base and staffing levels. A cost-cutting programme has been implemented
and this is expected to show a further GBP2 million of annualised cost savings in
2009 and beyond, compared with 2008. The results for 2008 show non-recurring
costs in relation to this re-structuring.
There have been a number of changes to the Board of directors during 2008. I
would like to thank James Dean, Per Sjöberg and Steven Board for their advice,
hard work and contribution to the Group over many years.
In May 2008 I welcomed Henry Klotz as CEO, and in November 2008 Joe Crawley and
Chris Jarvis joined the Group as non-executive directors to the Board. I look
forward to working with them and I am sure that their knowledge, coupled with
the Board's experience of previous downturns will steer CLS successfully
through these turbulent times.
Finally, I would like to thank our lenders, customers, staff and suppliers for
their continued support, enthusiasm and dedication to the business.
Sten Mortstedt
Executive Chairman
25 March 2009
BUSINESS REVIEW 2008
INTRODUCTION
In our most recent annual report, we reported that 2007 had been a tough year
and that we did not anticipate life becoming much easier in 2008. Uncertainty
remains, caused by recession in the markets in which we are active and the
continuing lack of financial liquidity and lending capacity.
In 2008 we sold properties for gross proceeds of GBP421.5 million. This has had
the effect of reducing our adjusted gearing from 131.7 per cent at 31 December
2007 to 102.6 per cent whilst increasing our cash from GBP122.0 million at 31
December 2007 to GBP195.3 million at 31 December 2008, after redeeming the loans
relating to the properties sold in addition to servicing the ongoing loans. We
have now completed our strategy of selling selected properties to enable the
Group to be strongly positioned to take advantage of purchasing opportunities
as they arise in the future.
UK
At the beginning of the year the UK portfolio was valued at GBP485.8 million plus
GBP112.8 million for the London Bridge Quarter (LBQ) and Fielden House joint
ventures.
During the year, eleven investment properties were sold for gross proceeds of GBP
113.3 million compared to a December 2007 carrying value of GBP105.2 million, a
premium of 7.6 per cent. The buildings sold were Brent House, Conoco House,
Coventry House, One Leicester Square, 22 Duke's Road, 275/281 and London House
King Street , Satellite House and Vista Centre. The sale of our interest in
LBQ was also completed for GBP30 million including associated debt. The property
at 86 Bondway that was previously included as an investment property has now
been transferred to property, plant and equipment from the date that we
occupied it as our head office. This property will be held at market value
within property, plant & equipment until such time that it is returned to the
investment portfolio or sold.
2008 proved to be a difficult year as the markets continued to feel the effects
of the global credit crisis, with a further fall in transaction activity across
Central London. Yields continued to move out as lack of demand was driven by
the reduction of available finance and opportunistic buying.
The occupational market during the year remained strong with a number of new
lettings completed, reducing the vacancy rate from 5.8 per cent at 31 December
2007 to 4.4 per cent by rental income at 31 December 2008.
New lettings were achieved at Cambridge House with existing tenants Prostate
Cancer Charity and Open Society Foundation taking 320 sq m and 325 sq m
respectively. Our subsidiary, Instant Office Limited, acquired a further 988
sq m at Great West House, expanding the business centre to 1,956 sq m. At
Westminster Tower, 288 sq m was let to Trustwave Limited and further lettings
were completed at Quayside and Ingram House. 86 Bondway was let to our
subsidiary CLSH Management as the UK Head Office, assigning the lease on 26th
Floor, Portland House, Victoria for a consideration of GBP0.2 million to Akzo
Nobel Coatings (BLD) Limited with a guarantee from Akzo Nobel NV.
At Spring Gardens we achieved a significant increase at the June 2008 annual
RPI rent review on units 3 to 5 and units 5 to 6. The index based review
resulted in an increase of 4.9 per cent from GBP2.9 million to GBP3.1 million per
annum in total. We completed the construction of the new on-site gymnasium and
restaurant, which were extended to 939 sq m. This is let to the existing
Government tenant of Spring Gardens until February 2026, in line with the
expiry of all the leases on the estate.
Another significant rent review during the year was with Flight Centre on the
2nd and 6th floors of CI Tower where the rent increased by 20 per cent to GBP0.1
million p.a. on the 2nd floor and 8 per cent on the 6th floor to GBP0.1 million
p.a. At Ingram House, a rent review was settled with GE Capital Europe on the
3rd floor increasing the rent by 89 per cent to GBP0.1 million pa.
Prior to the sale of Coventry House we completed the lease renewal on the
restaurant over the lower ground, ground and 1st floors for a term of 25 years
at a rent of GBP0.8 million pa, representing an increase of GBP0.1 million pa.
During 2008 we have been pro-active in seeking lease renewals and extensions to
secure tenants and to maintain the income stream across the portfolio. This
will remain the focus for 2009, together with reducing the vacancy rate
further.
At 31 December 2008 the UK portfolio comprised 27 properties valued at GBP323.2
million including GBP2.3 million in respect of CLS' share of the Fielden House
joint venture. This reflects a decrease in the value of the current properties
on a like for like basis of 15.8 per cent from December 2007.
We believe the biggest risks currently facing the property market is a
deepening of the recession in the UK leading to increased vacancy and the lack
of bank liquidity which will continue to affect the market. Since approximately
54 per cent of the portfolio is let to government or quasi-government tenants
and the average lease period is 11.2 years, we anticipate that our UK property
values will prove resilient compared to the wider market.
FRANCE
At 31 December 2007 the French portfolio was valued at GBP355.3 million (EUR482.2
million).
There was a significant portfolio sale of 29 companies owning 14 properties in
May 2008. Consideration in respect of the properties was GBP110.3 million (EUR142.4
million) representing a 7.4 per cent premium on December 2007 valuations.
Further to this sale, on 30 July the Group completed the corporate sale of
three properties in a western suburb of Paris based on property values of GBP68.5
million (EUR87.0 million). These properties were valued at GBP69.5 million (EUR94.3
million) at 31 December 2007. As these were all corporate sales the purchasers
also acquired the assets and liabilities of the companies, including certain
loans secured on the properties which led to a book loss on disposals of GBP16.0
million (EUR19.7 million). Consequent to the sales however there was also a
release of previously accrued potential deferred tax liabilities of GBP34.6
million (EUR43.6 million). The net result in the Income Statement for these
disposals therefore was a gain of GBP18.6 million (EUR23.9 million - see Financial
Review section).
A further property in Courbevoie was sold for GBP5.4 million (EUR7.0 million)
compared to a December 2007 valuation of GBP5.0 million (EUR6.8 million). In
addition, a deferred tax liability of GBP0.5 million (EUR0.6 million) relating to
the property was released through the deferred tax line of the Income
Statement.
We are pleased with the prices obtained for all of these properties, which have
yielded good returns over our period of ownership.
In 2008, the French economy slowed down considerably, growing by only 0.9
percent with the collapse of business activity in secondary and tertiary
sectors. Business investment began to plunge due to deflationary expectations,
blocked inter-bank lending and tougher credit conditions and the slow down of
cash flows. The volume of investment represented only 12.5 billion euros,
equalling 2004.
The volume of take-up in the Paris region in the year totalled almost 2.4
million sq m (a 14 per cent drop compared to 2007), whilst the immediate supply
of office space saw a 13 per cent rise to reach 2.7 million sq m. The average
vacancy rate in the Paris region at the end of the year increased to 5.4 per
cent.
New leases were completed in respect of 13,385 sq m representing approximately
17 per cent of the portfolio and revenue of EUR3.0 million. The major re-lettings
were located in Lyon with 6,407 sq m at Le Forum and 1,296 sq m at Front de
Parc as well as in La Garenne Colombes with 2,385 sq m at Sigma. Additionally
we negotiated lease extensions and renewals for 7,630 sq m producing revenue of
EUR1.7 million including a new firm 6 year lease with GRTgaz over 3,170 sq m in
Gennevilliers and a new firm 6 year lease with CAMFIL over 1,072 sq m in La
Garenne Colombes.
Rents subject to indexation grew in the first half with annualised increases of
4.7 per cent in the first quarter and 4.5 per cent in the second quarter. These
uplifts made an annual rent roll increase of approximately EUR0.6 million.
We continued renovation and refreshment of our buildings in order to offer the
best office specifications to our tenants. In 2008 we have spent over EUR2.8
million including EUR1.9 million for complete renovation of the vacant premises
(mainly at Sigma, Quatuor and Forum), EUR0.6 million for up-grading of air
cooling systems, and EUR0.3 million for various improvement works in common
parts.
At 31 December 2008 the portfolio comprised 25 properties (including 1 in
Luxembourg) with a value of GBP223.4 million (EUR233.7 million), reflecting a fall
in value of 7.4 per cent on a like for like basis during 2008.
The vacancy rate has increased to 4.2 per cent by rental income at the year end
from 4.0 per cent at 31 December 2007, however negotiations are at an advanced
stage for re-letting part of the vacant areas and we have also launched
renovation work for marketing purposes.
GERMANY
At 31 December 2007 the German portfolio was valued at GBP171.5 million (EUR233.2
million)
There were no acquisitions or disposals in the first half, but in December 2008
we completed the sale of the STEP 9 property for GBP11.4 million (EUR12.9 million)
compared with a value at 31 December 2007 of GBP8.5 million (EUR11.6 million).
At 31 December 2008 the German portfolio comprised 17 properties with a value
of GBP201.4 million (EUR210.7 million) reflecting a fall in value of 10.5 per cent
on a like-for-like basis compared to 31 December 2007.
Our German operations have entered an exciting phase with approximately GBP24.6
million (EUR31 million) being spent on major re-developments at the Rathaus
Centre in the city of Bochum, and two new buildings that will form part of our
existing property in Landshut, Munich over the next six months. Both of these
properties have strong tenancy agreements in place with Bochum being let on a
30 year indexed lease to the City of Bochum, commencing May 2009, and the
Landshut buildings on 10 year leases to E.ON Bayern AG with no breaks.
The German economy grew by 2.5 per cent in 2008 and GDP is expected to decrease
by close to 3.0 per cent in 2009, the unemployment rate decreased to 7.2 per
cent in 2008 but is expected to increase again to 8.0 per cent by the end of
2009.
The commercial investment market activity decreased dramatically by nearly 65
per cent, from EUR75.0 billion in 2007 down to EUR20.7 billion in 2008, due to the
lack of financing. Nevertheless this is still 100 per cent above the
10-year-average transaction volume in Germany. Take-up in the office letting
market decreased by 4 per cent in 2008 with 3.5 billion sq m which is the 3rd
best result ever. We will keep looking for new development opportunities very
selectively.
The vacancy rate across the German portfolio at the year end is 3.2 per cent by
rental income compared with 2.4 per cent at December 2007.
SWEDEN
The Swedish portfolio remains unchanged with the Vänerparken property in
Vänersborg, near Gothenburg. The value of GBP50.8 million (SEK 581 million) has
increased in Sterling terms from its valuation at 31 December 2007 of GBP49.6
million (SEK 635 million), but this is due to the fall in value of Sterling
over the year. In local currency the value has fallen by 8.5 per cent, mostly
due to a tenant surrendering space in exchange for a reverse premium amounting
to GBP1.0 million.
The total transaction volume was predicted to decrease dramatically in Sweden
during 2008, however, this projection was not fulfilled due to a few
exceptionally large transactions. Vasakronan, owned by the Swedish government,
was bought by AP Fastigheter in July 2008 at a purchase price of GBP3.4 billion
(SEK 41.1 billion), which is the largest property transaction ever in Sweden.
Including this deal, the total volume in Sweden last year amounted to GBP11.1
billion (SEK 132.8 billion), compared to GBP12.2 billion (SEK 145.8 billion) in
2007. International investors accounted for 25 per cent of the transaction
volume in 2008, a decrease of 34 per cent compared to 2007.
The financial crisis is starting to impact the Swedish economy fully. Sweden's
GDP growth, which stagnated during the first half of 2008, is now expected to
plunge into negative territory from the fourth quarter. The Swedish National
Institute of Economic Research forecast in December that annual GDP growth will
end at 0.8 per cent for 2008, compared to 2.5 per cent in 2007. Sweden's
unemployment rate was 6.4 per cent in December of 2008 and is predicted to
continue to rise.
After experiencing a few years of strong rental growth in Swedish property
markets, rents now seem to be levelling out and are expecting to start falling
in 2009.
Vänerparken consists of approximately 45,415 sq m and has a vacancy rate of
12.73 per cent, since the university vacated 11,783 sq m as they centralised
their campuses in four towns into one. We have now let 6,001 sq m of that area
to the local authorities and we are in final negotiations of signing new lease
agreements for most of the remaining area with the local authority. Around 90
per cent of the rented area is let to Swedish government related tenants
offering services such as healthcare, education, a leisure water park and
restaurant facilities.
The vacancy rate at 31 December 2008 is 8.2 per cent by rental income compared
with 0.8 per cent at December 2007, reflecting the surrender of space mentioned
above. Negotiations are currently in progress that if successful will see the
vacancy rate reduced to 1.9 per cent.
WYATT MEDIA GROUP
In June of this year the Lunarworks Group was re-branded as the Wyatt Media
Group (Wyatt) to better reflect its developing identity as a multi stranded
media group that provides effective advertising opportunities for its customers
wishing to access the youth market. Wyatt now owns or is associated with seven
websites (see wyatt.se) and is Sweden's leading digital media house with 70 per
cent of the youth market.
During the first half, the Wyatt Group exercised its option to acquire the
remaining 60 per cent of Bilddagboken AB for consideration of SEK 25 million (GBP
2.1 million) bringing its shareholding to 100 per cent. It also increased its
shareholding in Internetami AB (Tyda) from 57 per cent to 82.3 per cent for
consideration of SEK 5.4 million (GBP0.4 million) and acquired 40 per cent of
blog collection site, Bloggkoll.com.
In May a new CEO joined Wyatt and a new strategy has been implemented that
includes growth through both in-house development and acquisitions. As part of
this, CLS Group has re-assessed the state of the market Wyatt operates in, the
risks and uncertainties associated with that market and the business in its
current state of development, the rate of growth that can be expected and the
synergies that can be obtained from recent acquisitions within Wyatt. On the
basis of this re-assessment the Board has decided to write off all goodwill on
the acquisition of Wyatt of GBP22.0 million. The carrying amount of the Wyatt
Group after this write-down is immaterial to the CLS group at 31 December
2008.
TOTAL RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS
In the period from January 2001 to January 2008 the Group consistently
outperformed both the FTSE all share and FTSE real estate indices, however in
June 2007 share prices fell in anticipation of the downturn in the commercial
property market which occurred in the second half of 2007. Since that time
these indices have converged. The graph below, independently sourced by
DataStream, includes conventional dividend payments but excludes the positive
impact to CLS shareholders of substantial capital distributions through tender
offer buy-backs.
DISTRIBUTIONS - In November 2008 and early January 2009 we distributed GBP58.9
million to shareholders by way of tender offer buy-backs of 16.3 million
shares, equating to 94.8 pence per share.
PURCHASE OF OWN SHARES - 3.7 million of our own shares were bought back from
the market for cancellation at an average cost of 344.7 pence compared to a
closing adjusted NAV per share of 647.2 pence.
THE FUTURE - During 2009 we intend to focus all of our energy and creativity on
our core property operations. Our sales programme has now come to an end
although our cost-cutting efforts continue. We will also concentrate on our
letting activities and ensure that we retain our existing tenants in order to
increase our cash flow.
FINANCIAL REVIEW
INTRODUCTION
Due to the continued downturn in the global economy during 2008 causing further
downward pressure on property values, the Group has suffered a loss before
taxation of GBP142.2 million for the year (31 December 2007: loss of GBP72.6
million), and an after tax loss of GBP78.1 million (31 December 2007; loss of GBP
32.5 million). Adjusted net assets reduced from GBP517.6 million at 31 December
2007 to GBP399.6 million, a reduction of GBP118.0 million or 22.8 per cent
(statutory net assets from GBP403.1 million to GBP338.6 million).
LOSS BEFORE TAX - The loss before tax of GBP142.2 million was principally caused
by a reduction in the valuation of the Group's property assets, which fell by GBP
103.4 million. The majority of the fall was on yield shift due to volatile
markets and low volume of transactions reducing property valuations. The
average increase in yield was 90 basis points across the portfolio. On a
like-for-like basis, this level of yield shift would indicate a devaluation of
around GBP112 million, indicating that our letting progress during the year and
selective disposal of properties on higher yields has had a positive effect.
TAX - The charge for current tax was GBP3.6 million, mainly incurred in respect
of the French and German operating regions. The credit to deferred tax of GBP
67.7 million reflected the disposal of a substantial proportion of the
portfolio during the year combined with a reduction in property values for the
remaining properties. This shows the benefit of our corporate structure of
holding properties in individual entities.
NET ASSETS - Adjusted NAV of 647.2 pence per share (December 2007: 764.2
pence), reduced by 117.0 pence per share or 15.3 per cent during 2008
(Statutory NAV of 548.4 pence per share reduced by 46.7 pence per share or 7.8
per cent over the same period).
The second tender-offer, announced in November 2008, was concluded on 7 January
2009. The terms of this tender offer were to buy back 2 in every 9 shares at
350p per share, a total distribution of GBP48.0 million. If the results of this
tender offer had been taken into account as at 31 December 2008, the adjusted
NAV per share would have been 732.1 pence per share, an improvement of 84.9
pence from the year end and only 4.2 per cent down on 31 December 2007.
GOING CONCERN - The directors regularly stress-test the business model to
ensure that we have adequate working capital. The results of these analyses
indicate that it remains appropriate to treat the business as a going concern.
GEARING AND INTEREST COVER - Adjusted gearing at the year end was 102.3 per
cent (December 2007: 131.7 per cent) and statutory gearing was 121.1 per cent
(December 2007: 169.1 per cent). Had the second tender offer above been taken
into account, adjusted gearing would have increased to 130.3 per cent
(statutory gearing 157.6 per cent).
Recurring net interest payments and financial charges were covered by operating
profit (excluding fair value adjustments) by 1.4 times (2007: 1.3 times).
DISTRIBUTIONS - During the year the Company distributed GBP10.9 million to
shareholders by way of tender offer buy-back (17.0 pence per share). This
compares to distributions of GBP22.6 million for the year to 31 December 2007
(31.5 pence per share). If the second tender offer were also taken into
account, the total distribution to shareholders would have been GBP58.9 million
or 94.8 pence per share. The number of shares purchased through the two tender
offer buy-backs amounted to 16.3 million shares representing 24.1 per cent of
shares in issue on 1 January 2008.
CASH - The Group held GBP195.3 million in cash and cash equivalents as at 31
December 2008 (December 2007: GBP122.0 million). The second tender offer, on 7
January 2009 reduced this figure by GBP48.0 million. Of the year end cash
balance, GBP11.0 million is restricted by third party charge over funds (December
2007; GBP21.4 million).
REVIEW OF THE INCOME STATEMENT
FINANCIAL RESULTS BY LOCATION - The results of the Group analysed by location
and main business activity are set out below:
Equity
(Unaudited) Total UK France Germany Sweden Wyatt Inv 2007
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Net rental income 61.3 25.9 19.3 12.2 3.9 - - 66.3
Other income (incl
associates) (4.9) 1.2 1.1 - (7.2) 3.6 (3.6) 7.1
Operating expenses (19.7) (5.7) (3.2) (3.0) (1.4) (6.4) - (30.9)
Net finance expense (22.1) (8.3) (8.1) (6.2) (1.4) (0.2) 2.1 (41.2)
Profit on sale of
investment properties 6.8 6.5 - 0.6 (0.3) - - -
Loss on sale of
subsidiaries (16.0) - (16.0) - - - - (2.0)
Underlying profit/
(loss) 5.4 19.6 (6.9) 3.6 (6.4) (3.0) (1.5) (0.7)
Fair value losses on
investment properties (103.4) (59.5) (17.8) (19.9) (6.2) - - (68.1)
Other fair value
(losses)/gains (21.0) (17.4) (1.0) (2.6) - - - (1.5)
Impairment of
intangibles (22.0) - - - - (22.0) - -
Non-recurring costs (1.2) (1.2) - - - - - (2.3)
Loss before tax (142.2) (58.5) (25.7) (18.9) (12.6) (25.0) (1.5) (72.6)
Tax - current (3.6) - (3.4) (0.3) (0.4) 0.3 0.2 (2.6)
Tax - deferred 67.7 25.6 37.8 1.8 2.5 - - 42.3
Loss for the year (78.1) (32.9) 8.7 (17.4) (10.5) (24.7) (1.3) (32.9)
NET RENTAL INCOME - of GBP61.3 million decreased by 7.5 per cent (December 2007:
GBP66.3 million) primarily due to disposals of properties in the first half of
the year.
OTHER INCOME - amounted to a net loss of GBP4.9 million (December 2007: income GBP
7.1 million) and included a GBP3.6 million contribution from Wyatt Group
(formerly Lunarworks).
Our associate companies Catena AB and Bulgarian Land Development Plc (BLD), in
common with many listed real estate companies, suffered from downward valuation
adjustments during 2008. Consequently our share of their results for the year
amounted to a loss of GBP7.5 million compared to a net profit of GBP0.5 million in
2007. We have however received dividend income of GBP1.5 million from Catena
during 2008, so this investment remains cash generating to the Group.
A net loss of GBP4.6 million arose on the mark-to-market of shares held as
investments and other listed share trades, including a provision of GBP3.0
million on our investment in Note AB.
OPERATING EXPENSES - Operating expenses set out in the financial results table
above comprised administrative expenditure of GBP16.1 million (December 2007: GBP
27.7 million) and net property expenses of GBP3.6 million (December 2007: GBP3.2
million).
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENDITURE - amounted to GBP16.1 million (December 2007: GBP27.7
million):
(Unaudited) 2008 2007 Difference
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Core property group 9.6 12.5 (2.9)
London Bridge Quarter (LBQ) - 8.7 (8.7)
Wyatt Media Group 6.5 6.5 -
Total 16.1 27.7 (11.6)
Our investment in London Bridge Quarter (LBQ), which included our share of the
joint venture developing Southwark Towers and New London Bridge House, was
disposed of in early January 2008 and therefore no costs were incurred on this
project during the year. The substantial cost savings made on the core property
business in 2008 relate principally to lower headcount and a slimmed down
senior management team (GBP1.9 million), the re-location of the head office to a
property held by the Group (GBP0.5 million) and tighter control over professional
fees (GBP0.5 million).
NET PROPERTY EXPENSES - of GBP3.6 million (December 2007: GBP3.2 million) included
legal, letting and other fees of GBP1.2 million, reflecting letting success
across all regions, advertising and marketing costs of GBP0.1 million and void
costs of GBP0.8 million. Repair and maintenance costs were GBP0.5 million,
depreciation amounted to GBP 0.1 million and bad debts were GBP0.2 million.
NETFINANCE EXPENSES - amounted to GBP22.1 million (December 2007: GBP41.2 million)
Analysis of net finance expense 2008 2007 Difference
(Unaudited) GBPm GBPm GBPm
Interest receivable 8.6 5.9 2.7
Foreign exchange 11.9 0.7 11.2
Interest receivable and similar income 20.5 6.6 13.9
Interest payable and similar charges (42.6) (47.8) 5.2
Net finance expense (22.1) (41.2) 19.1
Finance costs (excluding fair value adjustments on financial instruments) of GBP
42.6 million decreased by GBP5.2 million compared to the previous year of GBP
47.8million, principally due to the disposals completed in the first half of
2008 and the resultant redemption of loans.
Interest receivable of GBP20.5 million is comprised of two main items ; GBP8.6
million was earned from average cash reserves during the year of GBP168 million,
combined with an GBP11.9 million foreign exchange translation gain mostly from
Euro cash balances held by the Group being re-translated at the exceptionally
low GBP to Euro rate that arose at the end of December. This category also
includes a net gain on forward foreign currency exchange contracts entered into
during the year of GBP2.4 million.
The average cost of borrowing for the Group at 31 December 2008, is set out
below:
(Unaudited) UK France Germany Sweden Total
December 2008
Average interest rate on fixed 6.7% 4.9% 5.2% - 6.2%
rate debt
Average interest rate on variable 6.1% 5.4% 5.6% 4.5% 5.3%
rate debt
Overall weighted average interest 6.7% 5.3% 5.3% 4.5% 5.8%
rate
December 2007
Average interest rate on fixed 6.8% 4.6% 5.1% 5.4% 6.2%
rate debt
Average interest rate on variable 7.2% 5.4% 5.5% 5.7% 5.8%
rate debt
Overall weighted average interest 7.0% 5.2% 5.2% 5.6% 6.1%
rate
Financial instruments - The adverse impact of fair value movements in interest
rate instruments was GBP21.0 million (2007: adverse GBP1.5 million). This amount is
almost entirely relating to a floating to fixed rate swap transaction on one
property, fixing below 5 per cent on a long-term basis over a principal sum of
GBP106.0 million. At 31 December 2008, with global interest rates falling heavily
and long-term yield curves relatively flat, this instrument was marked down
accordingly. We believe that this swap transaction is an attractive long-term
hedging instrument. It is important to note that if this swap is held to
maturity, the net movements reported through the income statement over its life
will be zero.
LOSS ON SALE OF SUBSIDIARIES - The loss of GBP16.0 million principally relates
to the sale of French properties by way of corporate sale rather than the sale
of the individual buildings. Such sales are accounted for by taking any
deductions for latent tax and guarantees provided through the valuation line of
the properties within the corporate vehicles. This resulted in the pre-tax loss
on disposal of French subsidiaries. In conjunction with the disposals however
is a reduction in the Group's potential liability for deferred tax, in this
instance amounting to GBP34.6 million. This movement is shown within the deferred
taxation line, thus the net effect on the Group of the French disposals is a
profit after tax of GBP18.6 million.
PROFIT ON SALE OF INVESTMENT PROPERTIES - Disposals of properties in the UK and
Germany were by conventional sale of the buildings, which released a profit on
disposal of GBP6.5 million and GBP0.6 million respectively, and a further release
of deferred tax of GBP7.0 million.
NON-RECURRING COSTS - As reported in the Chairman's statement at the 2007 year
end, CLS was considering a number of options to re-structure the Group in order
to release reserves for future distributions, to align the structure to the
Group's pan-European operational focus and to enable the Group to compete more
effectively with other UK property investors enjoying REIT status.
Non-recurring costs of GBP1.2 million were incurred in the year in relation to
this proposed change. The release of reserves was completed and the Group
structure is being reviewed to rationalise the number of entities.
IMPAIRMENT OF INTANGIBLES - The Group's investment in the Wyatt Group of
companies was re-assessed during the year as a result of operational and
trading difficulties within the markets that Wyatt operates. The result of this
re-assessment was the write-off of all goodwill relating to our investment in
this business, a total of GBP22.0 million. We continue to closely monitor our
investment in Wyatt, but the carrying value at 31 December 2008 is immaterial
to the CLS Group.
TAXATION
Current tax - In 2008 the Group's current taxation charge has benefited from
the utilisation of losses, significant capital allowances and amortisation
deductions. Outside the UK and Sweden these factors will have less effect in
the future as corporation tax losses are used against expected profits and as
amortisation deductions decrease in existing subsidiaries.
Deferred tax -The results of the Group include full provision for deferred
taxation relating to potential gains on the sale of properties at current
valuations, as required by IAS 12. The amount provided represents the maximum
potential tax liability on gains from property disposals.
The method of calculation for the estimate of deferred tax was revised in 2007
to include the effect of indexation allowance available if properties in the UK
were to be sold, resulting in a credit to the income statement of GBP31.4 million
in that year. The method was revised during the 2007 financial year as the
Group considered that it was more appropriate to assume that it would recover
the carrying amount of its investment properties through use followed by
eventual disposal. This is evidenced by the decision taken in 2007 to dispose
of a significant proportion of the portfolio, completed during 2008.
Prior to the 2007 financial year, the Group had been predominantly long-term
investors in property with occasional disposals, and therefore it was more
appropriate to determine the tax base as being that of returning value through
continued collection of rental income.
For the year ended 31 December 2008 the IAS 12 deferred tax credit included in
the Income Statement was GBP67.7 million.This is after, where appropriate,
recognition of tax losses and the reversal of timing differences. The provision
for deferred tax reduced net assets by GBP61.0 million (31 December 2007: credit
of GBP42.3 million and reduction in net assets of GBP114.6 million respectively).
We consider it is unlikely that this full liability will crystallise because it
takes no account of the way in which the Group would realise these gains. In
particular the deferred tax provision takes no account of the way in which
properties are expected to be sold, or of elections available to ensure that
deductions claimed previously for capital allowances are not reversed.
REVIEW OF THE BALANCE SHEET
INVESTMENT PROPERTIES - The Group's property portfolio amounted to GBP798.8
million, showing a net decrease of GBP376.5 million over its value at 31 December
2007 of GBP1,175.3 million. The movement in the portfolio is set out below:
(Unaudited) Group UK France Germany Sweden
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
Opening property
assets 1,175.3 598.5 355.3 171.8 49.7
Purchases - - - - -
Refurbishment 17.2 2.6 1.2 11.1 2.3
Disposals (408.1) (217.8) (180.5) (9.3) (0.5)
Revaluation movements (103.4) (59.5) (17.8) (19.9) (6.2)
Foreign exchange 118.8 - 65.7 47.5 5.6
Other (1.0) (0.6) (0.5) 0.2 (0.1)
Closing property
assets 798.8 323.2 223.4 201.4 50.8
PURCHASES - No properties were purchased during the year.
REFURBISHMENT - In the UK, expenditure on refurbishments amounted to GBP2.6
million, principally on upgrading our property at Spring Gardens to meet the
tenant's requirements. Other improvements were made to Great West House and
Cap Gemini House.
The bulk of refurbishment and development expenditure was carried out in
Germany at our properties in Landshut (Munich) and Bochum (GBP11.1 million).
Various smaller refurbishment works in France amounted to GBP1.2 million.
DISPOSALS - The detail of the disposals made during the year is covered in the
Business Review, but the significant items were the disposal of our share in
LBQ in the UK (GBP110.2 million), the sale of a portfolio of properties in France
to LFPI (GBP97.7 million), Victor Hugo and the Pascal buildings in Paris (GBP40.4
million and GBP29.3 million respectively), the sale of 1 Leicester Square (GBP29.0
million) and Coventry House (GBP23.8 million).
FOREIGN EXCHANGE - The gross foreign exchange translation gains on properties
was GBP118.8 million, of which GBP65.7 million related to France, GBP47.5 million was
in respect of Germany and GBP5.6 million arose in Sweden. Taking into account the
effect of foreign exchange translation on loans to finance these assets, the
net effect was a gain in reserves of GBP40.9 million.
Based on the valuations at 31 December 2008 and annualised net contracted rent
receivable at that date of GBP59.2 million, the portfolio shows a yield of 7.4
per cent, an increase of 90 basis points since 31 December 2007, reflecting the
increased volatility in the markets, lower volume of comparable transactions
and prudent valuations.
An analysis of the location of investment property assets and related loans is
set out below:
Equity
(Unaudited) Total UK France Germany Sweden Invest'ts
GBPm GBPm % GBPm % GBPm % GBPm % GBPm %
Investment Properties 798.8 323.2 40.5 223.4 28.0 201.4 25.2 50.8 6.3 - -
Property loans^ (576.3) (265.4) 46.1 (132.5) 23.0 (144.9) 25.1 (31.2) 5.4 (2.3) 0.4
Equity in Property
Assets 222.5 57.8 26.0 90.9 40.9 56.5 25.4 19.6 8.8 (2.3) (1.0)
Other 177.1 85.7 71.5 1.6 0.5 17.8
Adjusted net assets 399.6 143.5 35.9 162.4 40.6 58.1 14.5 20.1 5.0 15.5 4.0
Equity in Property as a
Percentage of 27.9 17.9 40.7 28.1 38.6 -
Investment
Opening Adjusted net
assets 517.6 227.5 44.0 154.1 29.8 56.4 10.8 40.7 7.9 38.9 7.5
(Decrease)/increase (118.0) (84.0) 71.2 8.3 (7.0) 1.7 (1.4) (20.6) 17.5 (23.4) 19.8
Closing Adjusted net 399.6 143.5 35.9 162.4 40.6 58.1 14.5 20.1 5.0 15.5 4.0
assets
^ Loans relating to the financing of our investment in Catena AB and other
non-property assets were included within "other" and amounted to GBP25.3 million.
# The following exchange rates were used to translate assets and liabilities
at the year end; Euro/GBP 1.0461 SEK/GBP 11.4474
Adjusted net assets are reconciled to statutory net assets in the 'Results at a
glance' section
DEBT STRUCTURE - Borrowings are raised by the Group to finance holdings of
investment properties. These are secured, in the main, on the individual
properties to which they relate. All borrowings are taken up in the local
currencies from specialist property lending institutions.
Financial instruments such as interest rate caps and swaps have been taken out
with prime banks to manage interest and foreign exchange rate risk in respect
of all of the Group's interest rate exposure and a significant proportion of
its foreign exchange rate exposure.
Net Interest Bearing Debt
(Unaudited) Equity
Total UK* France Germany Sweden invest.
GBPm % GBPm % GBPm % GBPm % GBPm % GBPm %
2008
Fixed Rate (346.2) 57.5 (230.6) 86.9 (28.6) 21.6 (87.1) 60.0 - - - -
Loans
Floating Rate (255.4) 42.5 (34.8) 13.1 (103.9) 78.4 (57.8) 40.0 (56.5) 100.0 (2.3) 100.0
Loans
(601.6) 100.0 (265.4) 44.1 (132.5) 22.0 (144.9) 24.0 (56.5) 9.4 (2.3) 0.5
Bank and cash 195.3 100.0 97.6 50.0 79.2 40.6 6.7 3.4 10.5 5.4 1.3 0.6
Net Interest
Bearing Debt (406.3) 100.0 (167.8) 41.3 (53.3) 13.1 (138.2) 34.0 (46.0) 11.3 (1.0) 0.3
2007 (676.7) 100.0 (338.4) 50.0 (194.9) 28.8 (113.8) 16.8 (29.9) 4.4 0.3 -
Non interest bearing debt, represented by short-term creditors, amounted to GBP
32.9 million (December 2007: GBP59.7 million). Borrowings, gross of arrangement
fees, amounted to GBP605.2 million (December 2007: GBP803.7 million, including
amounts owed in respect of Joint Ventures of GBP68.4 million).
Interest rate caps
Total UK France Germany Sweden
(Unaudited) % % % % %
2008
Percentage of net floating rate 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 n/a
loans capped
Average base interest rate at 4.5 3.8 4.8 4.6 n/a
which loans are capped
Average tenure 2.1 1.7 2.3 2.4 n/a
years years years years
2007
Percentage of net floating rate 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0 100.0
loans capped
Average base interest rate at 4.8 5.5 4.8 4.6 4.5
which loans are capped
Average tenure 3.3 2.0 3.3 3.4 0.8
years years years years years
At the end of 2008, 57.5 per cent of gross debt was fixed (December 2007: 62.8
per cent). This decrease in fixed rate funding is mainly due to the mix of
loans redeemed as a result of sales of properties during the year.
New Printing House Square was financed in 1992 through asecuritisationof its
rental income by way of a fully amortising bond. This bond has a current
outstanding balance of GBP35.9 million (December 2007: GBP36.7 million) at an
interest rate of 10.7 per cent with a maturity date of 2025. In addition, there
is a zero coupon bond, with a current outstanding balance of GBP7.6 million
(December 2007: GBP6.9 million), with matching interest rate and maturity date.
These debt instruments have a significant adverse effect on the average
interest rate.
The net borrowings of the Group at 31 December 2008 were GBP406.3 million
(December 2007: GBP676.7 million), the decrease being influenced by gross loan
repayments and redemptions of GBP298.4 million, principally resultant from sales
of properties. There was also an adverse translation effect in respect of loans
held in Euros and SEK of GBP77.9 million.
The contracted cash flows from the properties securing the loans continue to
cover all ongoing interest and loan amortisation obligations. Of the Group's
total bank debt of GBP601.6 million GBP54.2 million (9.0 per cent) is repayable
within the next 12 months, with GBP270.1 million (44.9 per cent) maturing after
more than five years.
OTHER INVESTMENTS - Consists of equity investments amounting to GBP14.3 million
(December 2007: GBP8.4 million). The majority by value are listed corporate and
financial bonds, which are carried at market value of GBP10.8 million. The bonds
were bought at a significant discount to the nominal value and have very
attractive coupon rates and yields to maturity. The remaining GBP3.5 million
consists mainly of listed investments.
INVESTMENT IN ASSOCIATE COMPANIES - The Group holds investments in two
principal associate companies carried in our books at GBP39.3 million. The Group
holds 29.1 per cent of Catena AB, a Swedish listed property group held at GBP25.1
million, being the Group's share of the adjusted net assets of Catena excluding
any provision for deferred tax, which we believe is unlikely to ever
crystallise. Although Catena made a loss for the year due to adverse fair value
movements on its properties, our share of which was GBP3.2 million, it also
included positive foreign exchange movement of GBP3.1 million, a write-off of
goodwill amounting to GBP3.9 million and our share of their negative reserve
movements of GBP0.2 million.
The second associate is Bulgarian Land Development Plc in which our holding of
35.8 per cent is carried at GBP14.1 million after our share of its losses in the
year which amounted to GBP1.1 million, write-off of opening goodwill of GBP1.4
million, the recognition of negative goodwill of GBP2.1 million in respect of
additional shares purchased in the year, and our share of their positive
reserve movements of GBP2.2 million.
SHARE CAPITAL - The share capital of the Company amounted to GBP16.7 million at
31 December 2008, represented by 66,745,471 ordinary shares of 25 pence each,
of which 5,000,000 shares were held as Treasury shares. At 31 December 2008
there were therefore 61,745,471 shares quoted on the main market of the London
Stock Exchange.
The Treasury shares are not included for the purposes of any proposed tender
offer buy-backs or for calculating earnings and NAV per share.
A capital distribution by way of tender offer buy-back was made in November
2008 resulting in the purchase and cancellation of 2,575,644 shares and the
distribution of GBP10.9 million to shareholders.
A further tender offer of 2 in every 9 shares at 350 pence was proposed on 1
December 2008 and approved at an AGM held on 18 December 2008. The offer was
settled on 7 January 2009 and resulted in the purchase and cancellation of a
further 13,721,215 shares and the distribution of GBP48.0 million.
After the January 2009 tender offer buy-back there were 48,024,256 shares in
issue, of which the Mortstedt family holds 57.7 per cent.
Market purchases during the year totalled 3,744,342 shares at an average price
of 344.7 pence per share.
The weighted average number of shares in issue during the year was 64,783,048
(December 2007: 71,091,071).
An analysis of share movements during the year is set out below:
(Unaudited) No of shares No of shares
Million Million
2008 2007
Opening shares for NAV purposes 67.7 72.6
Tender offer buy-back (2.6) (3.3)
Buy-backs in the market (3.7) (1.6)
Shares issued for the exercise of options 0.3 -
Closing shares for NAV purposes 61.7 67.7
Shares held in Treasury by the Company 5.0 7.1
Closing shares in issue 66.7 74.8
An analysis of the year end ownership structure is set out below:
(Unaudited) Number of Percentage
shares of shares
Institutions 18.7 30.2%
Private investors 0.9 1.4%
The Mortstedt family 34.1 55.3%
Other 8.0 13.1%
61.7 100.0%
Shares held in Treasury by the Company 5.0
Total 66.7
At 31 December 2008 there were no share options in existence.
REVIEW OF CASH FLOWS
Cash balances have increased from GBP122.0 million at the beginning of the year
to GBP195.3 million at 31 December 2008. The principal movements are the sale of
investment property generating GBP127.6 million, disposal of our interest in the
LBQ joint venture for GBP28.1 million and disposal of subsidiaries owning
property in France for GBP49.2 million.
Loan redemptions resulting from the sale of properties totalled GBP122.8 million
and purchase of own own shares through tender-offer buy-back and in the market
amounted to GBP24.0 million. New loans, principally on our development properties
in Germany raised cash balances by GBP21.3 million, mostly utilised on capital
expenditure for those properties of GBP18.9 million.
PROPERTY PORTFOLIO
We continue to focus on our portfolio of low risk, high return properties and
to actively manage our buildings to maximise long-term capital returns. Our
core areas of operation are the UK, France, Germany and Sweden.
At 31 December 2008, the Group owned 70 properties with a total lettable area
of 372,617 sq m (4,010,817 sq ft). 27 properties were in the UK, 24 in France,
17 in Germany, 1 in Sweden and 1 in Luxembourg. We had 356 commercial tenants
and 15 residential tenants.
An analysis of contracted rent, book value and yields is set out on the
following page.
(Unaudited) Contracted Net Book Yield Yield
Rent rent Value on net when
rent fully
let
GBPm % GBPm % GBPm % % %
London South Bank 10.4 17.0% 10.4 17.5% 152.8 19.1% 6.8%
London Mid town 6.7 10.8% 6.7 11.2% 81.3 10.2% 8.2%
London West 4.3 7.0% 3.9 6.5% 49.0 6.1% 7.9%
London West End 0.6 1.0% 0.6 1.0% 9.1 1.1% 6.5%
London South Bank -
JVs 0.1 0.3% 0.1 0.3% 2.3 0.3% 6.8%
London North West 0.9 1.4% 0.8 1.4% 9.5 1.2% 9.0%
London South West 1.7 2.8% 1.7 2.9% 17.6 2.2% 9.6%
Outside London - - - - 1.6 0.2% -
Total UK 24.7 40.3% 24.2 40.9% 323.2 40.5% 7.5% 7.8%
France Paris 10.2 16.7% 10.0 17.0% 136.6 17.1% 7.3%
France Lyon 4.4 7.1% 4.3 7.3% 54.8 6.9% 7.9%
France Lille 0.7 1.1% 0.6 1.0% 10.3 1.3% 5.8%
France Antibes 0.7 1.1% 0.6 1.1% 8.2 1.0% 7.7%
Total France 16.0 26.0% 15.5 26.3% 209.9 26.3% 7.4% 7.9%
Luxembourg 1.2 2.0% 1.2 2.1% 13.5 1.7% 9.0%
Total Luxembourg 1.2 2.0% 1.2 2.1% 13.5 1.7% 9.0% 9.0%
Germany Munich 6.2 10.1% 6.3 10.4% 85.0 10.6% 7.3%
Germany Hamburg 3.3 5.4% 3.3 5.6% 43.7 5.5% 7.6%
Germany Berlin 3.3 5.4% 3.2 5.4% 44.9 5.6% 7.1%
Germany Bochum 1.2 1.9% 1.2 2.0% 25.3 3.2% 4.7%
Germany Düsseldorf 0.3 0.5% 0.3 0.6% 2.5 0.3% 13.3%
Total Germany 14.3 23.3% 14.2 23.9% 201.4 25.1% 7.1% 7.2%
Sweden Vänersborg 5.1 8.4% 4.1 6.9% 50.8 6.4% 8.1%
Total Sweden 5.1 8.4% 4.1 6.9% 50.8 6.4% 8.1% 8.9%
Group Total 61.3 100.0% 59.2 100.0% 798.8 100.0% 7.4% 7.8%
Conversion rates: Euro/GBP 1.0461 SEK/GBP 11.4474. Yields on receivable rents
and potential rents have been calculated on the assumption that book values at
31 December 2008 will increase by refurbishment expenditure of approximately GBP
19.3 million in respect of projects in Germany and GBP2.7 million in the UK.
RENT ANALYSED BY LENGTH OF LEASE AND LOCATION - The table below shows rental
income by category and the future potential income available from new lettings
and refurbishments.
Space under
(Unaudited) Contracted Contracted Unlet Refurbishment
Aggregate but not Space or with
Income at Planning
Rental producing ERV consent Total Total
Sq. m Sq.ft GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm %
(000) (000)
UK >10 yrs 52.7 567.6 13.1 - - - 13.1 50.5%
UK 5-10 yrs 28.4 305.3 5.0 - - - 5.0 19.3%
UK < 5 yrs 26.5 285.4 6.6 - - - 6.6 25.6%
Development Stock 1.1 12.1 - - - - - 0.1%
Vacant 7.0 74.7 - - 1.1 - 1.1 4.4%
Total UK 115.7 1,245.1 24.7 - 1.1 - 25.8 100.0%
France > 10 yrs 2.8 30.1 0.7 - - - 0.7 4.2%
France 5-10 yrs 33.1 355.9 7.8 - - - 7.8 46.4%
France < 5 yrs 34.5 371.8 7.5 - - - 7.5 45.2%
Vacant 4.2 45.0 - - 0.7 - 0.7 4.2%
Total France 74.6 802.8 16.0 - 0.7 - 16.7 100.0%
Luxembourg < 5 yrs 3.7 39.8 1.2 - - - 1.2 100.0%
Total Luxembourg 3.7 39.8 1.2 - - - 1.2 100.0%
Germany > 10 yrs 21.9 235.3 2.5 - - - 2.5 15.9%
Germany 5-10 yrs 35.5 382.5 4.4 - - - 4.4 27.6%
Germany < 5 yrs 58.0 623.9 7.3 - - - 7.3 45.9%
Development Stock 14.1 151.3 - - - 1.2 1.2 7.4%
Vacant 4.0 43.6 - - 0.5 0.5 3.2%
Total Germany 133.5 1,436.6 14.2 - 0.5 1.2 15.9 100.0%
Sweden > 10 yrs - - - - - - - -
Sweden 5-10 yrs 34.1 367.2 4.7 - - - 4.7 83.6%
Sweden < 5 yrs 5.8 62.7 0.5 - - - 0.5 8.2%
Vacant 5.3 56.7 - - 0.5 - 0.5 8.2%
Total Sweden 45.2 486.6 5.2 - 0.5 - 5.7 100.0%
Group > 10 yrs 77.4 833.0 16.3 - - - 16.3 25.0%
Group 5-10 yrs 131.1 1,410.9 21.9 - - - 21.9 33.4%
Group < 5 yrs 128.5 1,383.6 23.1 - - - 23.1 35.5%
Development Stock 15.2 163.4 - - - 1.2 1.2 1.8%
Vacant 20.5 220.0 - - 2.8 - 2.8 4.3%
Group Total 372.7 4,010.9 61.3 - 2.8 1.2 65.3 100.0%
We estimate that open market rents are approximately 7.5 per cent lower than
current contracted rents receivable, which represents a potential reduction of
GBP4.6 million. An analysis of the net decrease is set out below:
(Unaudited) Contracted Estimated Reversionary
Rent Rental Value Element
GBP Million GBP Million GBP Million
UK 24.7 23.5 (1.2)
France and Luxembourg 17.2 16.1 (1.1)
Germany 14.2 13.6 (0.6)
Sweden 5.2 3.5 (1.7)
Total 61.3 56.7 (4.6)
The total potential gross rental income (comprising contracted rentals, and
estimated rental value of un-let space) of the portfolio is GBP65.3 million p.a.
Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement
31 December 2008
Year ended Year ended
31 December 31 December
2008 2007
GBP000 GBP000
Continuing operations
Revenue 77,994 87,992
Rental and similar revenue 63,062 70,042
Service charge and similar revenue 11,291 12,260
Service charge expense and similar
charges (13,055) (16,007)
Net rental income 61,298 66,295
Net income from non-property activities 3,641 5,690
Other operating expense (1,026) (1,568)
Administrative expenses (16,066) (27,724)
Net property expenses (3,649) (3,161)
Operating profit before revaluation movements on
investment properties, impairment of intangibles
and goodwill and (loss)/profit on disposal of
subsidiaries and investment properties 44,198 39,532
Net movements from fair value
adjustment on investment properties (103,393) (68,077)
Impairment of intangible fixed assets
and goodwill (21,985) -
Loss on disposal of subsidiaries (16,161) (1,974)
Profit from sale of investment
properties 7,009 -
Operating loss (90,332) (30,519)
Finance income 20,572 6,557
Finance costs (63,636) (49,218)
Other non-recurring costs (1,288) --
Share of (loss)/profit of associates
after tax (7,470) 537
Loss before tax (142,154) (72,643)
Taxation - current (3,610) (2,610)
Taxation - deferred 67,717 42,342
Tax credit 64,107 39,732
Loss for the period (78,047) (32,911)
Attributable to equity holders of the parent (78,175) (32,549)
Attributable to minority interests 128 (362)
(78,047) (32,911)
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet
31 December 2008
As at As at
31 December 31 December
2008 2007
GBP000 GBP000
Non-current assets
Investment properties 798,761 1,175,291
Property, plant and equipment 2,756 1,832
Intangible assets 1,088 19,538
Investments in associates 39,327 42,305
Other investments 14,315 8,424
Derivative financial instruments 371 1,268
Deferred income tax 12,427 2,880
Trade and other receivables 45 49
869,090 1,251,587
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 10,597 9,070
Derivative financial instruments - 1,208
Cash and cash equivalents 195,296 122,030
205,893 132,308
Total assets 1,074,983 1,383,895
Non-current liabilities
Deferred income tax 73,427 117,439
Borrowings, including finance leases 547,406 695,675
620,833 813,114
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 32,853 59,667
Current income tax 5,937 2,690
Derivative financial instruments 22,575 2,307
Borrowings, including finance leases 54,200 103,025
115,565 167,689
Total liabilities 736,398 980,803
Net assets 338,585 403,092
EQUITY
Share capital 16,686 18,712
Share premium reserve 70,514 69,824
Other reserves 100,353 61,198
Retained earnings 152,215 254,432
339,768 404,166
Minority interest (1,183) (1,074)
Total equity 338,585 403,092
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
31 December 2008
Attributable to
equity holders of the
Company
Share Other Retained Minority
capital reserves earnings Interest Total
GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000 GBP000
Balance at 1 January 2007 20,021 112,174 316,840 (896) 448,139
Arising in the year:
Fair value gains/(losses):
- available-for-sale financial 1,716
assets - 1,716 - -
- cash flow hedges - (1,206) - - (1,206)
Currency translation differences on - 16,917 - - 16,917
foreign currency net investments
Purchase of own shares expense - - (190) - (190)
Purchase of own shares (1,120) 1,120 (29,669) - (29,669)
Employee share option scheme - 112 - - 112
Treasury shares cancellation (189) 189 - - -
Change in minority interest - - - 184 184
Net amounts recognised directly in equity (1,309) 18,848 (29,859) 184 (12,136)
Loss for the year - - (32,549) (362) (32,911)
Total increase / (decrease) in equity for (1,309) 18,848 (62,408) (178) (45,047)
the year
Balance at 31 December 2007 18,712 131,022 254,432 (1,074) 403,092
Arising in the year:-
Fair value gains/(losses):
- available-for-sale financial (3,299)
assets (3,299)
- cash flow hedges (74) (74)
Currency translation differences on
foreign
currency net investments 40,501 40,501
Purchase of own shares expense (189) (189)
Purchase of own shares (1,497) 1,497 (23,853) (23,853)
Issue of shares
-
Employee share option scheme 691 691
Treasury shares cancellation (529) 529 -
Change in minority interest (237) (237)
Net amounts recognised directly in equity (2,026) 39,845 (24,042) (237) 13,540
Loss for the year - - (78,175) 128 (78,047)
Total (decrease)/increase in equity for the (2,026) 39,845 (102,217) (109) (64,507)
year
Balance at 31 December 2008 16,686 170,867 152,215 (1,183) 338,585
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
31 December 2008
Year ended Year ended
31 December 31 December
2008 2007
GBP000 GBP000
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 48,032 54,141
Interest paid (41,637) (43,553)
Income tax paid (720) (739)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 5,675 9,849
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchase of investment property - (36,706)
Capital expenditure on investment property (18,947) (19,974)
Proceeds from sale of investment property 127,648 -
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (190) (821)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and
equipment 159 31
Purchase of equity investments (13,984) (8,229)
Proceeds from sale of equity investments 1,194 10,825
Purchase of interests in associate/joint venture (828) (35,150)
Dividend received from associate undertaking 1,460 -
Proceeds on disposal of joint venture net of
cash sold 28,107 (1,509)
Proceeds on foreign currency transactions 2,376 -
Proceeds on disposal of subsidiary undertakings
net of cash sold 49,164 (12,305)
Interest received 8,680 5,820
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from investing activities 184,839 (98,018)
Cash flows from financing activities
Issue of shares 691 112
Purchase of own shares (24,040) (29,861)
Non-recurring re-structuring costs (1,288) -
New loans 21,334 120,675
Issue costs of new bank loans (2,232) (1,416)
Purchase of financial instruments (70) (410)
Repayment of loans (122,793) (38,894)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities (128,398) 50,206
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents 62,116 (37,963)
Foreign exchange
gain 11,150 2,422
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
year 122,030 157,571
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 195,296 122,030
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
Net rent
Net rent is defined as contracted rent less net service charge costs
Yield
Yields on net rents have been calculated by dividing the net rent by the book
value
Contracted rent
Contracted rent is defined as gross annualised rent supported by a signed
contract
Estimated rental value (ERV)
The ERV of lettable space as determined biannually by the Company's valuers.
This may be different from the rent currently being paid.
Underlying profit
Underlying profit is the profit before tax excluding net gains/losses from fair
value adjustment on investment properties, profit/losses disposal of joint
ventures, subsidiaries, investment properties, and exceptional items.
Adjusted net assets = Net assets excluding deferred tax liabilities and
deferred tax assets
Statutory net asset value = Net assets
(NAV) per share
Number of ordinary shares in free issue
Adjusted NAV per share = Net assets + deferred tax liabilities - deferred tax
assets
Number of ordinary shares in free issue
Statutory Gearing = Total gross borrowings - cash
Net assets
Adjusted Gearing = Total gross borrowings - cash
Net assets + deferred tax liabilities - deferred tax
assets
Earnings per share (EPS) = Profit after tax attributable to ordinary shareholders
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in free issue
Adjusted EPS = Profit after tax attributable to ordinary shareholders
excluding deferred tax and fair value gains on
investment properties
Weighted average number of ordinary shares in free issue
Statutory Solidity = Total equity
Total assets
Adjusted Solidity = Total equity+ deferred tax liabilities - deferred tax
assets
Total assets - deferred tax assets
Annualised added value to = Pro-rated Movement in adjusted NAV + Distributions
shareholders
Opening adjusted NAV
Underlying profit = Profit before tax before fair value gains on investment
properties and non-recurring finance costs
Recurring interest cover* = *Profit before tax - *net gains from fair value
adjustment on investment properties
*Net interest payable - change in fair value of interest
rate swap
* excluding results of
London Bridge Quarter as
shown below:
The following table sets out the calculation of recurring interest cover :
Dec Dec
2008 2007
GBPm GBPm
Net interest excluding fair value
adjustment 22.1 41.2
Net interest relating to LBQ (0.2) (5.5)
Ongoing interest 21.9 35.7
Operating profit excluding deficits
on investment properties 27.5 40.0
Adjust for impact of LBQ
add back operating profit - 6.8
less recurring expense - (1.7)
- 5.1
Ongoing operating profit 27.5 45.1
Recurring interest cover 1.3 1.3
Other operating income and associate company results of (GBP4.9) million (2007:
GBP7.1 million) comprises :
2008 2007
GBPm GBPm
Net income from non property 3.6 5.7
activities
Other operating (expense)/income (1.0)* 0.8*
Share of (loss) /profit of associate (7.5) 0.6
(4.9) 7.1
2008 2007
GBPm GBPm
Other operating income/(expense) 2.0 (1.6)
Recycled losses on available for sale (3.0) 2.4
investments
Other operating (expense)/income (1.0)* 0.8*
The financial information set out in this announcement does not constitute the
company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2008 or 2007. The
financial information for the year ended 31 December 2007 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, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis without
qualifying their report and did not contain a statement under s237(2) or (3)
Companies Act 1985. The audit of the statutory accounts for the year ended 31
December 2008 is not yet complete. These accounts will be finalised on the
basis of the financial information presented by the directors in this
preliminary announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies
following the company's annual general meeting.
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS AND ADVISERS
Directors Clearing Bank
Sten A Mortstedt (Executive Chairman) Royal Bank of Scotland Plc
Henry Klotz (Chief Executive Officer) 24 Grosvenor Place
Thomas J Thomson BA (Non-executive Vice Chairman) London SW1X 7HP
Malcolm Cooper ¨D (Non-executive Director)
Joseph A Crawley * (Non-executive Director) Financial Advisers & Stockbrokers
Christopher P Jarvis D (Non-executive Director)
H O Thomas Lundqvist * D (Non-executive Director) NCB Corporate Finance
Bengt F Mortstedt Juris Cand (Non-executive Director) 51 Moorgate
London
EC2R 6BH
* = member of Remuneration Committee
D = member of Audit Committee
¨ = senior independent director CLS Holdings plc on line:
www.clsholdings.com
Company Secretary e-mail:
Thomas J Thomson BA enquiries@clsholdings.com
Registered Office
86 Bondway
London
SW8 1SF
Registered Number
2714781
Registered Auditors
Deloitte LLP
Chartered Accountants
London
Registrars and Transfer Office
Computershare Investor Services Plc
P O Box 82
The Pavilions
Bridgwater Road
Bristol BS99 7NH
Shareholder helpline: 0870 889 3286
END
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