RNS No 0337f
TAYLOR WOODROW PLC
7 September 1999

                    TAYLOR WOODROW plc INTERIM STATEMENT 
             for the six months ended 30 June 1999 (unaudited)

'Strong underlying performance with star contribution from USA housing
operations'

- pre-tax profits up 6% to #51 million
- worldwide housing profits up 14% to #28.5 million
- US housing profits up 58% to #19 million
- property profits up 8% to #13 million
- interim dividend up 10% to 1.65p  

                             30 June 1999                 30 June 1998
                             (unaudited)                  (unaudited)
Group turnover               #684.1 million               #668.4 million
Group operating profit       #60.5 million                #53.5 million
Profit before tax            #51.0 million                #48.0 million
Basic earnings per share     8.4 p                        8.3 p
Interim dividend per share   1.65 p                       1.5 p

                             30 June 1999                 31 December 1998
                             (unaudited)
Net debt                     #195.3 million               #141.7 million
Net gearing                  27.0 %                       20.7 %
Shareholders' funds per
   share                     179.3 p                      169.7 p


Commenting on the results, chief executive Keith Egerton said: "Our
excellent first half results reveal a strong underlying performance.
Pre-tax profits at #51 million, are 6% ahead of the equivalent period
last year, despite, as foreseen, a swing in profitability from our Central
London residential operations due to the timing of completions.  Core
profit generating activities, housing and property, provided over 80% of
the Group's pre-tax profits. 

"Housing remains the key driver behind the Group's improvement, as
profits increased 14% to #28.5 million, accounting for nearly 56% of the
total. The star was clearly our USA housing operations where profits have
increased by 58% to #19 million.

"Profits from property operations, our other key earnings generator, made
good progress, moving ahead 8% to #13 million benefiting from the
expansion of its higher return development portfolio"  

Turning to the outlook for the Group Keith Egerton said, "As we go forward
we are in good shape, with greater direction being brought to bear on our
businesses. We are exerting more short-term control whilst at the same
time making sure that we also take a longer term strategic view.

"We are looking forward to the remainder of 1999 and beyond with optimism,
as the housing and property markets in which we operate continue to be
fundamentally sound.

"We have a strong housing order book at the end of June, particularly for
the Central London and Toronto apartment businesses which should generate
good profits in the second half of the year. All our housing activities
are achieving volume improvements and Taywood Homes is having particular
success in improving its operating margins.

"Our significant investment in the UK property development business is
bearing fruit with activity in Canada also gaining pace. Construction is
increasing its concentration on its core strengths, and work to return
Greenham Trading to profit growth is underway. 

"As one of the UK's leading housing and property groups, with a substantial
overseas spread, we are upbeat as to our future prospects. Our aim will be
to ensure that key performance indicators for these businesses, including
margins and return on capital employed, are improved further.

"With a well balanced portfolio of housing and property projects in the
pipeline we are in good shape to meet the objective of improving returns
to our shareholders."


SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
The interim dividend will be paid on Monday 1 November 1999 to
shareholders whose names appear on the register of members on the close of
business Friday 17 September 1999.

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. Details will be sent to
shareholders with the interim statement, which is expected to be mailed on
7 September, 1999.

Copies of the interim statement and the Dividend Re-investment Plan
literature will be available from the company's registered office,
4 Dunraven Street, London W1Y 3FG with effect from 7 September, 1999.

Media enquiries:                   Press Office 0181 575 4188

Tom MacQuillan                     Office:      0171 629 1201
                                   Mobile:        0836 598522       

Grandfield -
Charles Cook/Michael Henman                     0171 417 4170

Analyst enquiries:
David Green (Finance Director)- after 14.00     0171 629 1201


REVIEW OF OPERATIONS 


Housing                      1999                         1998

   Profit before tax         #28.5 million                #25 million

The star was the USA where housing profits have increased 58% to
#19 million. Florida has turned in an excellent performance benefiting from
its well-timed land investments by its strong management team. Good
progress has also been made in developing sites in California where this
business is experiencing a very strong market.

In the UK, Taywood Homes is doing well, with operating margins improving
from 9.1% to 11%. We have a strong order book at the end of June, with
reservations and exchanges running over 30% ahead of the same time last
year. 

As part of the strategy to double the size of Taywood Homes by 2004 the
Group announced, in May, the opening of a new region which has the
potential to be as large as the other operating divisions. Based in Upper
Heyford, Oxfordshire, its first completions are expected in the middle of
next year. Lifestyle, the quality retirement business, which is exploiting
a gap that it identified in the marketplace, has also just recorded its
first completions, and the prospects for this business, with its capacity for
high returns, are good. 

In Canada the new home markets in Ontario have continued to strengthen.
Monarch, with an increased order book and over 350 high-rise condominium
completions scheduled for the second half, will benefit from this in the
remainder of the year.

Sales in the Central London residential division have exceeded expectations
with only 5 apartments out of 209 remaining to be sold at The City Quay and
27 units out of 103 still to be either exchanged or reserved at Montevetro.
At Drury Lane, where construction activity has just started, the 51-unit
development is over 60% pre-sold.  At all sites units are selling faster
and for higher values than was originally projected.

However due to the timing of completions in Central London there was an
adverse swing in profitability of #6.8 million in this area. It is
anticipated that the Group will convert sales of around 100 units from The
City Quay and Montevetro into completions in the second half of the year. 

Whilst the Group continues to seek new sites for future developments it is
cautious not to overpay in what is increasingly becoming a very
competitive land market in London.

Property                     1999                         1998
                                                  
   Profit before tax         #13.0 million                #12.0 million


Profits from property operations, the other core earnings generator,
continued to make good progress, moving ahead 8% to #13 million. As
indicated at the AGM in June, property markets this year are firmer, with
all sectors improving.

With this buoyancy, the Group is now reaping the benefit of the expansion
of its higher return property development portfolio. Profits have
increased 14% from this activity. During the first six months of the year
four development sales were completed in the UK with a further five
planned for the second half. 

The Group is continuing to work this part of its property activity hard
with 28 development schemes ongoing. These include a major new 250,000
sq. ft. office scheme south of Manchester and a 107,000 sq. ft. shopping
centre in Waterlooville, in Hampshire on which work has just started. 

Monarch's property operation is also making strides to actively work its
portfolio.  Three disposals of non-core investment properties in the first
half of the year have released #6 million of cash for re-investment in its
higher-return housing and property development activities, a trend which
is expected to continue. It has also just announced that it is to build a
40,000 sq.ft. head-office building for Brewers Retail at its 21-acre,
Airport Corporate Centre office development, in Mississuaga with
construction starting later in this quarter.

Construction                 1999                         1998
                                                 
   Profit before tax         #3.1 million                 #3.1 million

In Construction, profits were steady at #3.1 million. In May the decision
was taken to refocus this business. As part of this process it was
announced that the workforce would reduce by around 250 through the course
of this year and that some peripheral activities would either be closed or
sold off. The strategy for construction is to become more risk averse and
it continues to reduce its exposure to projects in the UK and overseas
which do not meet this objective. 

The order book at 30 June was #770 million. Whilst slightly lower than
at the end of 1998, the quality of the order book has improved with work
where the risk profile is more in line with the Group's strategy. Of note
is the contribution that negotiated contracts and fee-based work make, now
accounting for around 75% of the workload. The Engineering division, with
its broad experience, continues to play a strong role in adding value to
the Group's construction activities.

Construction will continue to have an important role to play for the
Group, particularly working closely with key clients and the housing and
property divisions. Future profit growth is expected to be constrained by
the selective approach adopted towards the work that is undertaken.

Greenham Trading             1999                         1998
                                                        
   Profit before tax         #3.4 million                 #4.2 million

Because of a reduction in major infrastructure and public works spending
and intense competition in the market place Greenham Trading has had a
harder first half than last year but it has still been able to return a
reasonable profit of #3.4 million.

In March the Group indicated that it would undertake a review of this
business to consider its options for developing it in the future,
including increasing growth for the long term. The review has been
concluded and management action has been identified to retain and return
this business to its profit growth trend, including making the
distribution network more efficient and improving the stock turnover
position in our branches.


DETAILED FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOLLOWS


TAYLOR WOODROW plc
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 1999

                                                 Six months to       Year to
                                           30 June (unaudited)   31 December
                                                  1999    1998          1998
                                         Notes      #m      #m            #m
Turnover:  Group and share of joint
           ventures                              691.8   674.4       1,408.0
           Less share of joint ventures'
           turnover                               (7.7)   (6.0)         (7.5)
                                                 -----   -----       -------
Group turnover                             1     684.1   668.4       1,400.5
                                                 =====   =====       =======
Group operating profit                            60.5    53.5         110.2

Share of operating profit/(loss)in
joint ventures                                     0.8    (0.5)          0.7
                                                 -----   -----       -------  

Profit on ordinary activities before
interest                                          61.3    53.0         110.9

Net interest payable                       3     (10.3)   (5.0)        (10.6)
                                                 -----   -----       -------

Profit on ordinary activities before
taxation                                   1      51.0    48.0         100.3

Tax on profit on ordinary activities       4     (14.0)  (12.5)        (26.6)
                                                 -----   -----       -------

Profit on ordinary activities after
taxation                                          37.0    35.5          73.7

Minority equity interests                         (3.1)   (2.4)         (5.5)
                                                 -----   -----       ------- 
Profit for the financial period                   33.9    33.1          68.2

Dividends                                         (6.6)   (6.0)        (20.5)
                                                 -----   -----       -------
Profit retained                                   27.3    27.1          47.7
                                                 =====   =====       =======

Basic earnings per share                   5       8.4p    8.3p         17.1p
                                                  ====    ====          ====

Diluted earnings per share                 5       8.3p    8.2p         16.9p
                                                  ====    ====          ====  

Dividends per ordinary share                      1.65p    1.5p          5.1p
                                                  ====    ====          ====

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL
RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES

FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 1999
                                                    #m      #m            #m

Profit for the financial period                   33.9    33.1          68.2
Unrealised surplus on revaluation of
   properties                                        -       -          21.1
Tax on realised revaluation surplus               (0.9)      -             -
Currency translation differences on
   foreign currency net investments               15.1    (5.6)         (6.2)
                                                  ----    ----          ----
Total recognised gains and losses
   relating to the period                         48.1    27.5          83.1
                                                  ====    ====          ====


SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AT 30 JUNE 1999
                                                   30 June       31 December
                                                      1999              1998
                                               (unaudited)
                                            #m          #m                #m

Fixed assets
Investment properties                                399.7             397.1
Other tangible assets                                103.7             103.9
Investments
  Joint ventures
    Share of gross assets
    (31 December 1998 - #59.3m)           64.9
    Share of gross liabilities
    (31 December 1998 - #55.8m)          (61.5)        3.4               3.5
                                          ----     -------             -----
                                                     506.8             504.5
                                                   -------             -----
Current assets
Stocks                                               786.2             665.4
Debtors                                              192.5             187.6
Current asset investments                              3.7               4.4
Cash at bank and in hand                              80.4              81.2
                                                   -------             -----
                                                   1,062.8             938.6

Creditors:  amounts falling due within
            one year                                (511.5)           (476.8)
                                                   -------             -----
Net current assets                                   551.3             461.8
                                                   -------             -----
Total assets less current liabilities              1,058.1             966.3

Non-current creditors and provisions                (256.8)           (213.1)
                                                   -------             -----
                                                     801.3             753.2
                                                   =======             =====

Represented by:
Capital and reserves - equity
Called up ordinary share capital                     101.0             100.7
Capital redemption reserve                             8.4               8.4
Share premium account                                232.2             231.3
Revaluation reserve                                  102.5              94.4
Profit and loss account                              280.5             248.9
                                                     -----             -----
Shareholders' funds                                  724.6             683.7
Minority interests in equity of subsidiary
   undertakings                                       76.7              69.5
                                                     -----             -----
                                                     801.3             753.2
                                                     =====             =====



SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 JUNE 1999

                                                    Six months to    Year to
                                              30 June (unaudited)     31 Dec
                                                  1999       1998       1998
                                                    #m         #m         #m
Group operating profit                            60.5       53.5      110.2
Depreciation                                       7.0        8.6       13.1
Increase in stocks                               (96.8)     (80.6)    (164.7)
(Increase)/decrease in debtors                    (3.7)     (23.1)       8.2
Increase/(decrease) in creditors                   9.5          -      (18.9)
Exchange adjustments                               1.2        1.3        4.9
                                                  ----       ----      -----

Net cash outflow from operating
   activities                                    (22.3)     (40.3)     (47.2)
Returns on investments and servicing of finance   (9.0)      (4.9)      (9.7)
Taxation                                         (14.2)     (10.2)     (23.4)
Capital expenditure and financial investment      (1.4)      (8.7)     (17.0)
Equity dividends paid                                -          -      (18.9)
                                                  ----       ----      -----

Net cash outflow before financing                (46.9)     (64.1)    (116.2)
Issue of ordinary share capital by
   Taylor Woodrow plc less contributions
   to team member share trust                     (0.6)       1.7        7.8
Exchange/non-cash changes in net debt             (6.1)      (0.2)       3.5
                                                  ----       ----      -----
Movement in net debt                             (53.6)     (62.6)    (104.9)

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


MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT                                #m         #m         #m

Decrease in cash in the period                    (5.4)     (25.7)     (32.9)
Cash flow from increase in debt                  (44.6)     (11.8)     (32.6)
Increase/(decrease) in liquid resources            2.5      (24.9)     (42.9)
                                                 -----       ----      -----
Increase in net debt resulting from cash flows   (47.5)     (62.4)    (108.4)
Exchange/non-cash changes in net debt             (6.1)      (0.2)       3.5
                                                 -----       ----      -----
Increase in net debt in the period               (53.6)     (62.6)    (104.9)

Net debt at beginning of the period             (141.7)     (36.8)     (36.8)
                                                 -----       ----      -----

Net debt at end of the period                   (195.3)     (99.4)    (141.7)
                                                 =====       ====      =====  
        
                                          
           
NOTES ON THE INTERIM ACCOUNTS

1.   SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

                      Group turnover       Profit before
                         (by origin)            taxation
                       Six months to       Six months to          Net assets
                             30 June             30 June     30 June  31 Dec
                        1999    1998       1999     1998        1999    1998
                         as restated         as restated
By activity               #m      #m         #m       #m          #m      #m

Housing                265.3   229.4       28.5     25.0       404.0   372.7
Property development
   and investment       53.0    50.4       13.0     12.0       321.9   324.2
Construction           284.6   309.1        3.1      3.1        29.2    14.6
Greenham Trading        70.8    70.4        3.4      4.2        35.2    38.4
Other                   10.4     9.1        3.0      3.7        63.2    46.2
                       -----   -----       ----     ----       -----   -----
                       684.1   668.4       51.0     48.0       853.5   796.1
                       =====   =====       ====     ====       =====   =====

By market

Canada                  36.0    32.2        3.9      4.5       100.4    90.4
United States of
   America             136.1   100.2       21.8     13.1       192.1   171.1
Rest of the world       81.5    76.7        7.7      4.3        63.4    50.1
                       -----   -----       ----     ----       -----   -----
Total overseas         253.6   209.1       33.4     21.9       355.9   311.6

United Kingdom         430.5   459.3       17.6     26.1       497.6   484.5
                       -----   -----       ----     ----       -----   -----
                       684.1   668.4       51.0     48.0       853.5   796.1
                       =====   =====       ====     ====

Taxation on profits creditors (including deferred taxation)    (31.1)  (28.4)
Dividend creditors                                             (21.1)  (14.5)
Minority interests                                             (76.7)  (69.5)
                                                               -----   -----
Shareholders' funds                                            724.6   683.7
                                                               =====   =====

The segmental analysis was changed in the 1998 full year
accounts to include Australia within Rest of the world.
The effect for the six months to 30 June 1999 is to increase
Rest of the world turnover by #14.6m (1998 - #5.1m) and
profit before taxation by #2.2m (1998 - #0.4m). Comparative
figures for the six months to 30 June 1998 have been
restated accordingly.

2. BASIS OF PREPARATION OF THE INTERIM ACCOUNTS

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

   In accordance with our stated accounting policy,
   investment and fixed asset properties have not been
   valued since 31 December 1998 and 31 December 1997
   respectively.  Investment properties will next be
   valued at 31 December 1999.

   The interim accounts, which have been neither audited
   nor reviewed, were approved by the board of directors
   on 7 September 1999.

   These accounts do not constitute statutory accounts.
   Comparative figures for the year to 31 December 1998
   have been extracted from the latest published accounts
   on which the report of the auditors was unqualified
   and did not contain a statement made under section 237
   (2) or section 237 (3) of the Companies Act 1985.  The
   1998 annual accounts have been delivered to the
   Registrar of Companies.

3. NET INTEREST PAYABLE

   Net interest payable includes the Group's share of joint
   venture net interest payable of net #1.0m (1998 interim -
   #nil; 1998 full year - #0.3m) which is stated after
   capitalising joint venture interest of #1.3m (1998
   interim - #1.4m; 1998 full year - #2.8m).

4. TAX ON PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES


                                                     Year to
                        Six months to 30 June    31 December
                               1999      1998           1998
                                 #m        #m             #m

   United Kingdom               2.5       4.3            9.7
   Overseas                    11.3       8.0           16.2
   Joint ventures               0.2       0.2            0.7
                               ----      ----           ----
                               14.0      12.5           26.6
                               ====      ====           ====

   The effective overall tax rate is 27.5% (1998 interim -
   26%; 1998 full year - 26.5%).  The tax charges are below
   standard tax rates mainly due to the utilisation
   of tax losses.


5. EARNINGS PER SHARE
                                                            Year to
                                Six months to 30 June   31 December
                                        1999     1998          1998      
                                          #m       #m            #m
   Earnings per share has been
   calculated by dividing:
   Profit for the financial
   period                               33.9     33.1          68.2
                                       =====    =====         =====
   by the
   weighted average number of shares
      for basic earnings per share     401.2m   398.0m        397.9m
   weighted average of dilutive
      options                            3.8m     6.3m          4.3m
   weighted average of dilutive
      awards under the Group Executive
      Bonus Plan                         1.0m     0.8m          0.8m
                                       -----    -----         -----
   for diluted earnings per share      406.0m   405.1m        403.0m
                                       =====    =====         =====

                                       
END

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