Interim Management Statement (5175D)
May 17 2012 - 2:00AM
UK Regulatory
TIDMLSL
RNS Number : 5175D
LSL Property Services
17 May 2012
For Immediate Release 17 May 2012
LSL Property Services plc
("LSL" or "the Group")
Interim Management Statement
LSL, a leading provider of residential property services,
incorporating Estate Agency and Related Services and Surveying and
Valuation Services businesses, issues this Interim Management
Statement for the period from 1 January 2012 to 16 May 2012.
The housing market has remained subdued in the period with Total
Mortgage Approvals for the first quarter flat compared to the first
quarter of 2011(1) and the year on year growth trend for both Total
Mortgage Approvals and House Purchase approvals has declined over
each of the last three months. Market data is not yet available for
April.
Against this backdrop the Group has traded in line with the
Board's expectations during the period. Turnover for the 3 months
ended 31 March 2012 compared with the same period in 2011 and also
for the 4 months ended 30 April 2012 is set out below both in total
and on a like-for-like basis (excluding Marsh & Parsons):
Total Total LFL LFL
----------------
3 mths to 31 4 mths to 3 mths to 4 mths to
Mar 30 Apr 31 Mar 30 Apr
----------------
Group +22% +20% +9% +8%
Estate Agency +40% +37% +19% +17%
Surveying -7% -8% -7% -8%
--------------- ---------------- ----------- ---------- ----------
Following strong trading in March, which was helped by changes
to stamp duty, activity levels for April were disappointing.
Transaction run rates for the two weeks from 1 May to 16 May have
returned to being in line with expectations.
Estate Agency and Related Services:
Estate Agency has traded well and in particular there has been
strong like-for-like year on year growth in lettings and financial
services of 23% and 24% respectively. Residential sales income has
been restricted by low instruction volumes and stock levels,
including the London market. Marsh & Parsons has performed in
line with expectations and opened a new branch in Earls Court in
April, which has made a good start. Asset Management increased
revenue by 9% in the first quarter in a market where repossessions
were flat year on year.
Surveying and Valuation Services:
Surveying performance has been satisfactory given both continued
low levels of mortgage activity, including a 12% reduction in
remortgage volumes compared to the first quarter of 2011 and
further reductions in market share among some of our key lender
clients. There has been continued growth of private survey services
income.
Outlook:
While there has been some improvement in consumer confidence
this has been more than offset by a further reduction in the
availability of mortgage credit driven by tighter prudential
regulation, decline in supply of wholesale funding and tighter
product regulation. Overall LSL retains a cautious view of the
market for 2012 particularly given the recent deterioration in
prospects for the Eurozone which may cause the banks to restrict
mortgage supply further.
However, the Board is confident of delivering further progress
in 2012, through its major organic growth initiatives, including
lettings and the contribution from new income streams in both
Estate Agency and Related Services and Surveying and Valuation
Services. The Group remains well placed to increase shareholder
value and will continue to pursue value accretive acquisitions
using its strong balance sheet.
(1) Source: Bank of England
For further information, please contact:
Simon Embley, Group Chief Executive Officer
Steve Cooke, Group Finance Director
LSL Property Services plc 0203 215 1015
Richard Darby, Nicola Cronk, Louise Hadcocks
Buchanan 0207 466 5000
Notes to Editors:
LSL Property Services plc is a leading provider of residential
property to its two key customer groups. Services to consumers
include: residential sales, lettings, surveying and advice on
mortgages and non investment insurance products. Services to
mortgage lenders include: valuations and panel management services,
asset management and property management services. For further
information, please visit our website: www.lslps.co.uk.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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