RNS Number:2861H
Taylor Woodrow PLC
15 March 2000


TAYLOR WOODROW plc PRELIMINARY STATEMENT 
for the year ended 31 December 1999

 

'Excellent performance with star contribution from housing operations'

- pre-tax profits up 25% to #125.0 million
- worldwide housing profits up 39% to #78.1 million
- UK housing profits increase 58% to #30 million
- final dividend up 6% to 3.8p
- Greenham Trading to be disposed of  
                                                 
                                                                             
                                           1999                 1998
              
Group turnover                   #1,504 million       #1,401 million
Group operating profit           #139.3 million       #110.2 million
Profit before tax                #125.0 million       #100.3 million
Earnings per share                        21.3p                17.1p
Proposed final dividend per share          3.8p                 3.6p
Shareholders' funds per share            196.8p               169.7p


Commenting on the results, chief executive Keith Egerton said:  "These are
a powerful set of results and demonstrate the strength of the group.  

"Housebuilding and property, our core businesses accounting for 87% of
total profit, enjoyed a very good year.  Demand for our Taywood Homes
housing in the UK, our luxury houses and lots in the United States and
high rise condominiums in Canada was particularly robust.

"We also achieved excellent sales on our principal residential properties
in Central London: The City Quay, Montevetro and Drury Lane.

"Profit from our property business rose 33% to #30.4 million.  Key drivers
behind this growth were increased property trading development activity
and our success in letting faster and at higher rents. 

"The year has started very well, with all our principal businesses
experiencing healthy trading conditions.  We anticipate this favourable
environment continuing through the year. Even if a downturn were to occur,
we are very well placed.  Our balance sheet is in excellent shape - net
gearing is 15.0% - and the international spread of our businesses
provides further protection".

The Company will seek shareholder approval at its annual general meeting 
in May to renew its existing authority to acquire up to 10% of its shares.
 
The Company has recently completed a strategic review and Keith Egerton
commented on its outcome:
"We undertook this review to identify how best to realise the value in
Taylor Woodrow.  We concluded:

- Our core activities - worldwide housing and property - will continue
their very profitable growth.

- Our construction business has a strong future as a focused provider of
value added construction support.

- We will establish a leadership position in the growing market for mixed
use developments, which unite our property, housing and construction
expertise.

- We will dispose of non-core activities.

Expanding on these points Keith Egerton said; "In the UK Taywood Homes is
on target to double its volume, with improving returns.  In the United
States we will grow our luxury home and community development offerings in
affluent areas.  We are growing our successful businesses in Canada, Spain
and Australia.

"We are streamlining our North American operations into one management
structure.
  
"Our property business will continue to be a significant contributor to
Group profitability.  Its growth will increasingly derive from development
activity, particularly in the UK.

"Our construction business has a profitable role to play but in a much
reduced, more focused form. It is quitting low return / high risk
activities. These include foundation engineering, pre-cast and most other
civil engineering. It is concentrating on partnering with selected
clients, PFI work and facilities management. High among its partners will
be our housing and property businesses as they seek to exploit
opportunities in mixed use and brownfield regeneration. Few other
companies can provide the full range of expertise required to develop such
sites.

"The Board has instructed our bankers to sell our successful Greenham
Trading business, which is no longer a core activity. We are in
discussions with the management concerning an MBO. It is recognised that
our first priority and responsibility is to act in the interests of our
shareholders to achieve a fair and proper price.

"We are changing our culture.  In the new Taylor Woodrow we are bringing
our corporate and operational headquarters together into one office. We
will be a leader in our sector for harnessing web-based technology to
maximise our operating efficiencies and client service. 

"We are in very good shape.  This gives us an excellent base on which to
drive the new Taylor Woodrow forward.  We are ambitious.  We have a clear
focus of where we want to go, the growth markets we wish to be in and the
manner and style of our getting there." 

 
REVIEW OF OPERATIONS 


Housing                        1999                       1998

Profit before tax              #78.1 million              #56.3 million


In the UK Taywood Homes produced an outstanding performance as profits
jumped 69% to #25.4 million and operating margins rose from 10% to 13%.
Completions also moved ahead to 1,658 from 1,491 with the business
remaining on target to double its volume, with improving returns.
Lifestyle, the provider of quality retirement homes, secured its first 30
completions in the second half of the year and now has a solid portfolio
of projects to take forward. Prospects for this business are good.

The central London residential market continued to be buoyant. Central
London profits increased to #4.3 million as we completed 90 sales at The
City Quay in St. Katharines and the sales of the first 31 units at       
Montevetro, the Group's flagship development in Battersea. Drury Lane, the
51-unit development in Covent Garden, has also performed very well, with
90% either reserved or exchanged before construction is complete.

US housing enjoyed a very good year with profits ahead 27% to #33 million.
Florida and California both turned in excellent performances as they
continued their strategy of targeting upscale markets with their luxury
houses and amenitised communities. First completions were achieved in
Northern California in the second half of the year, underlining the strong
market conditions there.

In Canada, profits moved ahead to #8 million from #7 million as the focus
on high rise condominium development continued, with 278 completions
compared with 36 in 1998. Five schemes were under development during 1999 
and since the start of the year two more have been added. Completions in
the single family homes division were steady.   

Australia produced improved results to #5 million. During the year it
purchased the 50% stake in North Whitfords Estates Pty. Ltd. it did not
already own. Margins were improved in a strong market which especially
helped our Harrington Park site near Sydney. 

Spain also turned in a strong performance with profit of #2 million. This
business benefited from higher volumes and the first significant profits
from our successful mainland site at Los Arqueros.



Property                    1999                     1998
                                                                      
Profit before tax           #30.4 million            #22.9 million


Strong market conditions and the expansion into higher return property
development enabled profits from property operations to forge ahead to
#30.4 million, a rise of 33%.

During the year ten development sales were made, enabling the business to
increase profits from this area by 113%. A further 20 schemes are underway
across the UK and this business is set to continue to grow profits in this
area. 

Taking advantage of strong institutional demand, the business sold #57
million of investment properties, which had reduced potential for further
capital growth. This included its interest in the Treaty Centre in
Hounslow. The strong market was confirmed in the year end valuation of the
UK investment portfolio where a 9% uplift in values was achieved from year
end 1998. 

Monarch also took positive steps to actively work its portfolio. It
disposed of three investment properties in the first half of the year. 


Construction                1999                     1998
                                                 
Profit before tax           #5.1 million             #6.1 million


In a year of transition turnover and profits were lower at #512 million
and #5.1 million respectively. The strategy for construction has been for
some time to concentrate on lower risk work and to seek an improvement in
margins.  This resulted in lower turnover in 1999 but with a satisfactory
increase in the underlying margin from 1% to 1.9%.

The order book is of high quality and improvements are expected from PFI
and the growing facilities management business.



Greenham Trading            1999                     1998
                                                        
Profit before tax           #6.9 million             #8.7 million


Greenham Trading's profits in 1999 were lower at #6.9 million. This was
the result of static turnover as the business suffered from price
deflation and a lack of major public works in the UK.  The deflation in
prices masked a reasonable increase in volume. 

A number of major new contracts were secured during the year including a
#3-#4 million hygiene contact from Her Majesty's Prison Service.




SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

If approved at the annual general meeting on 12 May 2000 the final
dividend will be paid on 3 July 2000 to shareholders whose names appear on
the register of members at the close of business on 31 March 2000. 

The company offers a Dividend Re-investment Plan, which provides
shareholders with a facility to use their cash dividends to purchase
Taylor Woodrow plc shares in the market. Full details of the facility will
be sent to shareholders with the annual report, which is expected to be
mailed on 27 March 2000.

Copies of the annual report will be available from the company's
registered office, 4 Dunraven Street, London W1Y 3FG with effect from 27
March 2000.






Media enquiries:        
Nicholas Jones              Office     020 7629 1201                          
                            Mobile     07879 433119               
              

Marc Popiolek, Gavin Anderson          020 7496 1467


Analyst enquiries:
David Green (Finance Director) - after 14.00 - 020 7629 1201






DETAILED FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOLLOWS





CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT                                          
for the year ended 31 December 1999                    

                                                   1999       1998
                                          #m         #m         #m    notes
------------------------------------   -----    -------    -------
CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Turnover: Group and share of joint
          ventures                              1,522.0    1,408.0
          Less: share of joint ventures'
                turnover                          (18.0)      (7.5)
                                                -------    -------
Group turnover                                  1,504.0    1,400.5      1
Cost of sales                                  (1,210.1)  (1,157.0)           
                                                -------    -------            
Gross profit                                      293.9      243.5
Distribution costs                                (50.4)     (39.9)   
Administrative expenses                          (104.2)     (93.4)
                                                -------    -------
Group operating profit                            139.3      110.2
Share of operating profit in joint
   ventures                                         1.9        0.7            
Profit on disposal of properties                    3.6          -            
        
                                                -------    -------
Profit on ordinary activities
   before interest                                144.8      110.9
Interest receivable                                 5.2       10.2
Interest payable:
   Group (1998 : #20.5m)               (23.1)
   Joint ventures (1998 : #0.3m)        (1.9)
                                       -----      (25.0)     (20.8)
                                                -------    -------    
Profit on ordinary activities before
   taxation                                       125.0      100.3      1
Tax on profit on ordinary activities              (34.4)     (26.6)     2
                                                -------    -------
Profit on ordinary activities after
   taxation                                        90.6       73.7       
Minority equity interests                          (6.0)      (5.5)
                                                -------    -------
Profit for the financial year                      84.6       68.2
Dividends paid and proposed                       (20.9)     (20.5)     3
                                                -------    -------
Profit retained                                    63.7       47.7
====================================            =======    =======
Basic earnings per share                           21.3p      17.1p     4
                                                =======    =======       
Diluted earnings per share                         21.1p      16.9p     4
                                                =======    =======       
==================================================================


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES
for the year ended 31 December 1999
                                                   1999       1998
                                                     #m         #m
-----------------------------------------          ----       ----

Profit for the financial year                      84.6       68.2
Unrealised surplus on revaluation of properties    25.9       21.1
Tax on realised revaluation surplus                (0.9)         -  
                                                  -----       ----
                                                  109.6       89.3
Currency translation differences on foreign
   currency net investments                        11.7       (6.2)
                                                  -----       ----
Total recognised gains and losses relating to
   the year                                       121.3       83.1       
                                                  =====       ====

==================================================================

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET                                                    
at 31 December 1999
                                                   1999       1998       
                                          #m         #m         #m    notes
-----------------------------------     ----      -----      -----
Fixed assets

Tangible assets
   Investment properties                          378.5      397.1       
   Other                                          101.6      103.9       
Investments
   Joint ventures
      Share of gross assets
      (1998 : #59.3m)                   65.1
      Share of gross liabilities
      (1998 : #55.8m)                  (61.4)
                                        ----        3.7        3.5       
                                                -------      -----  
                                                  483.8      504.5            
                                                -------      -----
Current assets

Stocks                                            781.3      665.4       
Debtors                                           153.2      187.6       
Current asset investments                           5.7        4.4       
Cash at bank and in hand                          138.6       81.2
                                                -------      -----
                                                1,078.8      938.6            
 

Creditors: amounts falling due within
   one year                                      (482.8)    (476.8)           
                                                -------      -----
Net current assets                                596.0      461.8
                                                -------      ----- 
                            
Total assets less current liabilities           1,079.8      966.3            
 
Creditors: amounts falling due after
   one year                                      (235.6)    (202.0)       
Provisions for liabilities and charges            (14.4)     (11.1)       
                                                -------      -----
                                                  829.8      753.2
                                                =======      =====

Represented by:

Capital and reserves - equity

Called up ordinary share capital                   95.3      100.7
Capital redemption reserve                         14.2        8.4
Share premium account                             232.2      231.3
Revaluation reserve                               125.0       94.4
Profit and loss account                           283.6      248.9
                                                -------      -----
Shareholders' funds                               750.3      683.7
Minority interests in equity of
   subsidiary undertakings                         79.5       69.5            
                                                -------      -----
                                                  829.8      753.2
=========================================       =======      =====

Net debt                                         #112.6m    #141.7m     5
Net gearing                                        15.0%      20.7%
Shareholders' funds per share                     196.8p     169.7p       
                                                =======      =====


==================================================================

CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT                                              
for the year ended 31 December 1999

                                          1999                1998
                                --------------      --------------
                                  #m        #m        #m        #m    notes
------------------------------  ----      ----      ----      ----
Operating activities
Cash flow from operating
   activities                             92.5               (47.2)     5

Dividends from joint ventures              0.6                 0.3

Returns on investments and
   servicing of finance
Interest received                5.2                10.4                     
Interest paid                  (22.5)              (19.7)
Dividends paid by subsidiary
   undertakings to minority
   shareholders                 (0.9)               (0.7)                     
Net cash outflow from returns
   on investments and
   servicing of finance         ----     (18.2)     ----     (10.0)

Taxation
UK Corporation tax paid         (4.6)               (6.7)                     
Overseas tax paid              (22.2)              (16.7)       
Tax paid                        ----     (26.8)     ----     (23.4)

Capital expenditure and
   financial investment
Purchase of fixed assets and
   properties                  (20.7)              (34.8)                     
Sale of fixed assets and
   properties                   62.5                17.8                     
Net cash inflow/(outflow)
   from capital expenditure 
   and financial investment     ----      41.8      ----     (17.0)

Equity dividends paid                    (21.1)              (18.9)
                                          ----                ----
Net cash inflow/(outflow)
   before use for liquid
   resources and financing                68.8              (116.2)           
  

Management of liquid resources
Cash (placed on)/withdrawn from
   short-term deposit          (47.8)               45.9
Purchase of current asset
   investments                  (1.3)               (3.0)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from 
   management of liquid
   resources                    ----     (49.1)     ----      42.9      5
  

Financing
Issue of ordinary share capital
   by Taylor Woodrow plc less
   contributions to team member
   share trust                  (0.4)                7.8
Repurchase of ordinary share
   capital                     (33.4)                  -
Debt due within one year:
   new loans                    42.7                 5.7
   repayment of loans          (52.1)               (8.7)
Debt due after one year:
   new loans                   105.2                51.0
   repayment of loans          (63.3)              (15.4)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow
   from financing               ----      (1.3)     ----      40.4       
                                          ----                ----
Increase/(decrease) in cash
   in the year                            18.4               (32.9)      5
                                          ====                ====





NOTES ON THE ACCOUNTS                                                         
                      
1  SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS                             Profit
                               Turnover           before               Net
                              by origin         taxation            Assets
                       ----------------    -------------      ------------
                          1999     1998     1999    1998      1999    1998
                                                                        as
                                                                       re-
                                                                    stated
                            #m       #m       #m      #m        #m      #m
                       -------  -------    -----    ----     -----   -----
By activity
Housing                  706.9    540.4     78.1    56.3     439.8   348.6    
Property development
   and investment        122.4     87.7     30.4    22.9     322.1   299.9    
Construction             511.5    613.5      5.1     6.1      23.7     7.4   
Greenham Trading         141.6    139.8      6.9     8.7      31.1    29.6    
Other                     21.6     19.1      4.5     6.3      13.1    67.7    
                       -------  -------    -----   -----     -----   ----- 
                       1,504.0  1,400.5    125.0   100.3     829.8   753.2    
                       =======  =======    =====   =====     =====   ===== 

By market
United States of
   America               327.1    250.8     35.2    27.7     195.8   167.6    
Canada                    95.1     68.1     11.3    10.2     105.0    90.4    
Rest of the world        169.0    175.2     11.4     8.3      53.5    42.4
                       -------  -------    -----    ----     -----   -----
Total overseas           591.2    494.1     57.9    46.2     354.3   300.4    
United Kingdom           912.8    906.4     67.1    54.1     475.5   452.8    
                       -------  -------    -----   -----     -----   -----
                       1,504.0  1,400.5    125.0   100.3     829.8   753.2    
                       =======  =======    =====   =====

Minority interests                                           (79.5)  (69.5)
                                                             -----   -----
Shareholders' funds                                          750.3   683.7
                                                             =====   =====


Turnover by origin represents sales to third parties and is not materially
different from turnover to third parties by destination.

Net assets are now stated in line with a widely-accepted industry practice
after deduction of taxation on profits creditors (including deferred 
taxation) of #36.3m (1998 : #28.4m) and proposed dividends of #14.3m
(1998 : #14.5m).  Segmental net assets also now reflect proposed dividends
between segments. Comparative figures for 1998 have been restated
accordingly.  These changes have resulted in increases/(decreases) in 
activity and market segments net assets as follows:

Housing                                                      (33.7)  (24.1)
Property development and investment                          (24.7)  (24.3)
Construction                                                  (4.6)   (7.2)
Greenham Trading                                              (6.1)   (8.8)
Other                                                         18.5    21.5
                                                              ----    ----
                                                             (50.6)  (42.9)
                                                              ====    ====

United States of America                                      (2.2)   (3.5)
Canada                                                        (2.9)      -
Rest of the world                                            (11.0)   (7.7)
United Kingdom                                               (34.5)  (31.7)
                                                              ----    ----
                                                             (50.6)  (42.9)
                                                              ====    ====   

==========================================================================

2    TAX ON PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES                     1999    1998
                                                                #m      #m
                                                              ----    ----
     United Kingdom tax
     Corporation tax                                          11.6    15.9    
     Relief for overseas tax                                  (0.7)   (6.2)   
     Overseas tax
     Current                                                  24.3    16.4    
     Deferred                                                 (0.9)   (0.2)   
     Joint ventures                                            0.1     0.7    
                                                              ----    ----
                                                              34.4    26.6    
                                                              ====    ====

     The tax charges are below standard rates mainly due to the utilisation
     of tax losses.
    
==========================================================================

3    ORDINARY DIVIDENDS ON EQUITY SHARES                      1999    1998
                                                                #m      #m
                                                              ----    ----
     Interim of 1.65p per share (1998 : 1.5p)                  6.6     6.0
     Proposed final of 3.8p per share (1998 : 3.6p)           14.3    14.5
                                                              ----    ----
                                                              20.9    20.5    
                                                              ====    ====

     
==========================================================================

                                                             1999    1998
4    EARNINGS PER SHARE                                        #m      #m
                                                             -----   -----

     Earnings per share has been calculated by dividing:
     Profit for the financial year                            84.6    68.2
                                                             =====   =====
     by the weighted average number of shares
     for basic earnings per share                            396.7m  397.9m
     weighted average of dilutive options                      3.0m    4.3m
     weighted average of dilutive
     awards under the Group Executive Bonus Plan               1.1m    0.8m
                                                             -----   -----
     for diluted earnings per share                          400.8m  403.0m
                                                             =====   =====

==========================================================================

5    CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
                                                            
     Reconciliation of operating profit
     to net cash flow from operating activities               1999    1998
                                                                #m      #m
                                                             -----   -----
     Operating profit                                        139.3   110.2
     Depreciation                                             13.8    13.1
     Increase in stocks                                      (93.9) (164.7)
     Decrease in debtors                                      32.3     8.2    
     Decrease in creditors                                    (0.3)  (18.9)   
     Exchange adjustments                                      1.3     4.9    
                                                             -----   -----
     Net cash inflow/(outflow)from operating activities       92.5   (47.2)
                                                             =====   =====


     Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt      
     Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year                  18.4   (32.9)   
     Cash inflow from increase in debt                       (32.5)  (32.6)   
     Cash outflow/(inflow) from increase/(decrease) in
        liquid resources                                      49.1   (42.9)   
                                                             -----   -----
     Change in net debt resulting from cash flows             35.0  (108.4)
     Amortisation of discount on issue of 9.5% first
        mortgage debenture stock 2014 and expenses of
        issue for the year                                    (0.3)   (0.3)
     Exchange movement                                        (5.6)    3.8
                                                             -----   -----
     Movement in net debt in the year                         29.1  (104.9)
     Net debt at 1 January                                  (141.7)  (36.8)
                                                             -----   -----
     Net debt at 31 December                                (112.6) (141.7)
                                                             =====   =====

     Analysis of net debt
                           At                                          At
                    1 January    Cash    Non-cash   Exchange  31 December
                         1999    flow     changes   movement         1999
                           #m      #m          #m         #m           #m
                    ---------    ----    --------   --------  -----------
     Cash at bank
       and in hand       81.2    55.6           -        1.8        138.6     
     less
     Deposits due
       after one day    (39.3)  (47.8)          -       (0.9)       (88.0)
     Overdrafts on
       demand           (17.2)   10.6           -       (0.1)        (6.7)
                                -----             
                                 18.4
     Debt due after one
       year
       Debenture loans (173.8)   (8.8)        7.9       (5.5)       (180.2)
       Bank loans       (16.3)  (33.1)        1.8       (1.0)        (48.6)
     Debt due within
       one year       
       Debenture loans  (15.4)   11.6        (8.2)      (0.6)        (12.6)
       Bank loans and
         overdrafts     (21.8)    8.4        (1.8)      (0.3)        (15.5)
       add back
       Overdrafts on
         demand          17.2   (10.6)          -        0.1           6.7
                                -----       
                                (32.5)
     Liquid resources
       Deposits due
         after one day   39.3    47.8           -        0.9          88.0
       Current asset
         investments      4.4     1.3           -          -           5.7
                                -----
                                 49.1
                        -----   -----        ----       ----         -----    
     Total             (141.7)   35.0        (0.3)      (5.6)       (112.6)
                        =====   =====        ====       ====         =====
==========================================================================

6    GENERAL

     The preliminary accounts have been prepared on a basis which is
     consistent with the accounting policies adopted for the year to 31
     December 1998.

     The preliminary accounts were approved by the board of directors on
     15 March 2000.

     These accounts do not constitute the company's statutory accounts for
     the years ended 31 December 1999 or 1998 but are derived from those
     accounts.  Statutory accounts for 1998 have been delivered to the
     Registrar of Companies and those for 1999 will be delivered following
     the company's annual general meeting.  The auditors have reported on
     these accounts; their reports were unqualified and did not contain a
     statement under section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985.
=========================================================================


END
FR USVWRRAROAAR


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