TIDMCLI

RNS Number : 4646G

CLS Holdings PLC

04 March 2015

 
Release date:    4 March 
                  2015 
Embargoed 
 until:          07:00 
 

CLS HOLDINGS PLC

("CLS", THE "COMPANY" OR THE "GROUP")

ANNOUNCES ITS FULL YEAR FINANCIAL REPORT

FOR THE 12 MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 2014

A record year for the Group

CLS is a property investment company with a diverse portfolio of GBP1.31 billion modern, well-let properties in the UK, France, Germany and Sweden. CLS's properties have been selected for their potential to add value and to generate high returns on capital investment through active asset management.

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

   --     EPRA net assets per share up 39.9% to 1,774.1 pence (2013: 1,268.4 pence) 
   --     Profit after tax up 208.4% to GBP194.9 million (2013: GBP63.2 million) 
   --     EPRA earnings per share up 16.9% to 77.4 pence (2013: 66.2 pence) 
   --     Portfolio value GBP1,310.1 million (2013: GBP1,132.9 million), up 15.8% in local currencies 
   --     Robust interest cover of 3.3 times (2013: 3.2 times) 

-- Weighted average cost of debt remains low at 3.64% (2013: 3.64%) - one of the lowest in the property sector - and has fallen to 3.58% since 1 January 2015

-- Distributions to shareholders up 6.4% in the year, like-for-like, with a proposed GBP10.4 million by way of tender offer buy-back: 1 in 80 at 1,950 pence, equivalent to 24.4 pence per share

   --     Total shareholder return of 206.6% in five years 
   --     Entered the FTSE 250 index in December 2014 

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Investment Property Portfolio:

-- Three selective acquisitions for GBP29.7 million providing a blended net initial yield of 6.7%

-- Two opportunistic disposals generating proceeds of GBP37.5 million at a blended yield of 2.9%

   --     Vacancy rate at an all-time low of 3.0% (2013: 4.4%) 

-- EPRA net initial yield of 6.5%, 290 basis points above cost of debt, one of the highest differentials in the listed property sector

Developments:

   --     Completion of the GBP55 million development of Spring Mews, SE11 comprising: 

o 378 room student accommodation opened and fully let in September

o 93 room Staybridge Suite Hotel opened in January

   --     Completion of the redevelopment 2,769 sqm of office space at 138 Fetter Lane, EC4 
   --     Further planning consent for design enhancements at Vauxhall Square, SW8 

-- Planning consent gained on Westminster Tower, SE1 for 3 additional storeys and 23 luxury riverside apartments

Key Financings:

   --     GBP97 million refinancing of Spring Gardens for 6 years at low swap rates 

-- EUR24 million acquisition financing of Harburg properties for 7 years at an all in cost fixed at less than 2%

Sten Mortstedt, Executive Chairman of CLS, commented:

"In 2014 we continued to make substantial progress, with the completion of two important developments in central London, opportunistic acquisitions, selective disposals, the extension of our development pipeline, and the lowest ever vacancy rate across the Group.

"Our portfolio benefited from a 15.8% revaluation uplift, EPRA NAV rose by 39.9% to a record 1,774.1 pence per share and our strategy, to invest in attractive, high-yielding office properties in major cities, should continue to serve the Group well in 2015."

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:

 
CLS Holdings plc             +44 (0)20 7582 7766 
www.clsholdings.com 
Sten Mortstedt, Executive 
 Chairman 
Henry Klotz, Executive 
 Vice Chairman 
Fredrik Widlund, Chief 
 Executive Officer 
John Whiteley, Chief 
 Financial Officer 
 
Kinmont Limited              +44 (0)20 7087 9100 
Jonathan Gray 
 
Smithfield Consultants 
 Limited                     +44 (0)20 7360 4900 
Alex Simmons 
 
Liberum Capital Limited      +44 (0)20 3100 2222 
Tom Fyson 
 
Charles Stanley Securities   +44 (0)20 7149 6000 
 
Mark Taylor 
 Hugh Rich 
 

CLS will be presenting to analysts at 8.30am on Wednesday, 4 March 2015, at Smithfield Consultants, 10 Aldersgate Street, London, EC1A 4HJ.

Conference call dial in numbers as follows:

 
Participant telephone   +44(0)20 3427 1912 (UK Toll) 
 number: 
 
Confirmation code:      2636578 
 

Please dial in at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the meeting and quote the above confirmation code when prompted.

Chairman's Statement

OVERVIEW In 2014 we continued to make substantial progress in a number of areas. These included the completion of two important developments in central London, opportunistic acquisitions in Germany and London and selective disposals in London and Paris. Furthermore, we extended our development pipeline, and the benefits from our active in-house asset management resulted in our lowest ever vacancy rate across the Group.

At the year end our property portfolio benefited from a 15.8% annual revaluation uplift to GBP1.31 billion, the highest ever level in our history. EPRA NAV rose 39.9% to a record 1,774.1 pence per share and following a five year compound Total Shareholder Return of over 25% per annum, in December 2014 we entered the FTSE 350 index.

The Group places a strong emphasis on cash generation. Our portfolio produces a net initial yield of 6.5% and is financed by debt with a weighted average cost of 3.64%. In 2014 our rental income rose 11.1% to GBP84.4 million (2013: GBP76.0 million), benefiting from the effect of a full year's income from the Neo portfolio which was acquired last year, and EPRA earnings per share rose 16.9% to 77.4 pence (2013: 66.2 pence).

Our strategy of running a diversified, modern and efficient property portfolio with in-house asset management has continued to prove successful. We operate in close cooperation with our customers to meet their occupational needs, and this is reflected in a Group vacancy rate of 3.0%, well below the sector average.

During the year we selectively acquired investments in Germany and the UK at an aggregate cost of GBP29.7 million, generating a net initial yield of 6.7% and financed by debt at 1.97%. We also made some opportunistic disposals in London and Paris at low yields, thereby recycling our capital for an enhanced return.

The UK market continued to grow in 2014. In London, demand from overseas investors searching for prime yielding properties remained robust, with increasing interest beyond the traditional West End and City locations. In Germany and France the markets were characterised by low interest rates, a low level of new completions and improvement in occupier demand. Germany continued to offer the more attractive opportunities. The Swedish market displayed lower yields and a high level of activity, driven mainly by domestic property investors, and we continued to find better value elsewhere.

PROPERTY PORTFOLIO The increase in EPRA net assets per share was driven by a significant increase in values across our London portfolio, particularly in our Vauxhall heartland. The Group's property portfolio grew by GBP177.2 million or 15.6% over the period to GBP1.31 billion, due predominantly to a revaluation uplift of GBP186.5 million. France and Germany contributed positively, but the vast majority of the increase came from the London portfolio, particularly from developments and long leases with secure Government income.

At the year end the contracted rent roll was GBP87.5 million (2013: GBP85.6 million), of which 68% came from governments and major corporations and 58% was index-linked.

At Spring Mews SE11, our first student and hotel development scheme reached completion. The student accommodation was completed in September, in time for the start of the academic year, and all 378 rooms were let. We have already started letting rooms for 2015/16. At Clifford's Inn, Fetter Lane EC4, construction was completed at the end of 2014 and we are actively marketing the 2,769 sqm of new office space in a very strong mid-town office market. We have also secured detailed planning consent to convert and extend Westminster Tower SE1, providing luxury riverside apartments overlooking the Houses of Parliament, with a small amount of office space to be retained on the lower floors.

At Vauxhall Square we have secured further planning consent for design enhancements, and agreed commercial terms to acquire additional adjoining land and properties. In January 2014 we entered into a conditional agreement to grant a long lease in relation to the student site in Miles Street, on which an enhanced planning consent has also been achieved. These enhancements have contributed positively to the uplift in value. During 2015 we will explore all our available options for this major regeneration project to make a constructive start in 2017.

In the second half of the year, the Group acquired Berkeley House in Datchet, Berkshire for GBP2.2 million on a net initial yield of 10.75%. We also unconditionally exchanged contracts to acquire two modern, multi-let, office buildings in Harburg, a waterfront district in the southern part of Hamburg, Germany for EUR32.4 million before costs. We completed the acquisitions shortly after the year end. These high-quality offices are located in a district which is seeing significant investment in infrastructure and is developing into a popular mixed-use location.

In April the Group took advantage of a strong demand for development opportunities, and disposed of Cambridge House W6 for GBP29.5 million. The price was 32% above the December 2013 valuation and corresponded to an initial yield of 2.34%. Part of Le Quatuor in Montrouge, Paris was sold for EUR9.9 million, 23% above the June 2014 valuation, to accommodate the Grand Paris Express project to improve the railway system. The station will be a major transportation hub which will benefit our remaining holding.

RESULTS EPRA net assets per share have risen by 39.9% to 1,774.1 pence (2013: 1,268.4 pence), and net assets per share by 39.0% to 1,521.1 pence (2013: 1,094.1 pence). Profit after tax grew by 208.4% to GBP194.9 million (2013: GBP63.2 million) and shareholders' funds rose by 35.8% to GBP652.9 million, after distributions to shareholders of GBP15.5 million. The balance sheet remains strong, with cash and liquid resources of GBP162.0 million.

Recurring interest cover increased to 3.3 times (2013: 3.2 times), as the Group continued to enjoy a very low weighted average cost of debt of just 3.64% (2013: 3.64%), one of the lowest in the listed property sector. At 31 December 2014 the weighted average loan to value of our secured debt was 49.7% (2013: 56.3%).

FINANCING The Group continues its strategy of having a wide variety of financing from banks and other debt providers, and of ring-fencing debt against individual properties where appropriate. We secured financing for the Harburg acquisitions with a seven-year fixed interest rate loan below 2% for the first time. Since the end of 2014 we have refinanced our largest individual property loan on Spring Gardens in Vauxhall for 6 years, and this, together with the Harburg loan, has reduced our pro forma weighted average cost of debt further to 3.58%. Diversity of financing is important to reduce risk and we enjoy active lending relationships with 23 debt providers. Interest rates have remained very low, with further reductions in the Eurozone. We expect this will remain the case for an extended period and as a consequence, 68% of our debt is at floating rates, with 41% being protected against rising interest rates through interest rate caps.

The Group's corporate bond portfolio has continued to be a valuable part of our cash management strategy. The portfolio outperformed the bond market during the year, delivering a total return of GBP7.7 million, or 8.7% on capital. At the year end the portfolio consisted of 27 bonds valued at GBP61.8 million with a running yield of 7.4% on market value, and a weighted average duration of 15 years.

SUSTAINABILITY During the past twelve months we have continued our objective to further improve the quality of our portfolio through carbon reduction programmes, investments in renewable technology and social engagement within the communities in which we invest. We have achieved two SKA Gold ratings and three BREEAM Very Good ratings through our refurbishment programme, and we have reduced the consumption of electricity, gas and water in our properties.

More details of these initiatives are set out in the Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility Report in the 2014 Annual Report and Accounts. In addition we have, in line with our Green Charter established in 2011, committed additional resources to our in-house sustainability team to help minimise the impact the Group and its customers have on the environment.

BOARD CHANGES During the year Tom Thomson, Brigith Terry and Claes-Johan Geijer retired as non-executive directors and I wish to record our thanks for their contribution to our success. We have welcomed Lennart Sten and Elizabeth Edwards who have joined us in their place. Richard Tice resigned as Chief Executive Officer in February and, following a successful search by an executive search firm, we were pleased to welcome Fredrik Widlund as his replacement in November. Fredrik joins us after a long career at GE Capital.

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS In 2014, the Group distributed through tender offer buy-backs GBP10.0 million in May, equivalent to 22.65 pence per share, and GBP5.5 million in September, equivalent to 12.61 pence per share. Similarly, the Board is proposing a tender offer buy-back of 1 in 80 shares at 1,950 pence per share in April 2015, to distribute GBP10.4 million to shareholders, equivalent to 24.4 pence per share. This will bring total distributions for the year to GBP15.9 million, an annual increase of 6.4% and corresponding to an implied yield of 2.7%, based on the average market capitalisation for the Group in the year. A circular setting out the details will be sent to shareholders with the Annual Report and Accounts.

OUTLOOK Although its forthcoming general election may cause some temporary political uncertainty, we expect the UK's economy to continue to grow and the commercial property market to continue to perform well in 2015.

We also believe that the positive trends seen in London, including increasing rents and declining vacancies, will cascade into other parts of the country during the year. The Group's portfolio is well-positioned to benefit from a continuing strong UK market.

Even though we expect economic growth in the Eurozone to remain slow, we believe our overseas assets will continue to benefit from record low interest rates and a pick-up in demand. Our strategy, to invest in attractive, high-yielding office properties in secondary areas of major cities, should continue to serve the Group well in 2015.

Sten Mortstedt

Executive Chairman

4 March 2015

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact on the Group's performance and could cause the results to differ materially from expected or historical results. The management and mitigation of these risks are the responsibility of the Board.

 
 Risk                                                       Areas of impact      Mitigation 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ----------------------------- 
 Property investment 
  risks 
 Underperformance                                           Cash flow            Senior management 
  of investment portfolio                                    Profitability        has detailed knowledge 
  due to:                                                    Net asset value      of core markets 
   *    Cyclical downturn in property market                 Banking covenants    and experience 
                                                                                  gained through 
                                                                                  many market cycles. 
   *    Inappropriate buy/sell/hold decisions                                     This experience 
                                                                                  is supplemented 
                                                                                  by external advisors 
                                                                                  and financial models 
                                                                                  used in capital 
                                                                                  allocation decision-making. 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ----------------------------- 
                                                            Rental income        The Group's property 
   *    Changes in supply of space and/or occupier demand    Cash flow            portfolio is diversified 
                                                             Vacancy rate         across four countries. 
                                                             Void running         The weighted-average 
                                                             costs                unexpired lease 
                                                             Bad debts            term is 6.4 years 
                                                             Net asset value      and the Group's 
                                                                                  largest occupier 
                                                                                  concentration 
                                                                                  is with the Government 
                                                                                  sector (46.8%). 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ----------------------------- 
                                                            Rental income        Property teams 
   *    Poor asset management                                Cash flow            proactively manage 
                                                             Vacancy rate         customers to ensure 
                                                             Void running         changing needs 
                                                             costs                are met, and review 
                                                             Property values      the current status 
                                                             Net asset value      of all properties 
                                                                                  weekly. Written 
                                                                                  reports are submitted 
                                                                                  monthly to senior 
                                                                                  management on, 
                                                                                  inter alia, vacancies, 
                                                                                  lease expiry profiles 
                                                                                  and progress on 
                                                                                  rent reviews. 
---------------------------------------------------------  -------------------  ----------------------------- 
 
 
 
 Risk                                   Areas of impact       Mitigation 
-------------------------------------  --------------------  --------------------------- 
 Other investment 
  risks 
 Corporate bond investments:            Net asset value       In assessing potential 
   *    Underperformance of portfolio    Liquid resources      investments, the 
                                                               Treasury department 
                                                               undertakes research 
   *    Insolvency of bond issuer                              on the bond and 
                                                               its 
                                                               issuer, seeks third-party 
                                                               advice, and receives 
                                                               legal advice on 
                                                               the terms of the 
                                                               bond, where appropriate. 
                                                               The Treasury department 
                                                               and Executive Directors 
                                                               receive updates 
                                                               on bond price movements 
                                                               and third party 
                                                               market analysis 
                                                               on 
                                                               a daily basis, 
                                                               and reports on 
                                                               corporate bonds 
                                                               to the full Board 
                                                               on a monthly basis. 
                                                               The Executive Directors 
                                                               formally review 
                                                               the corporate bond 
                                                               strategy monthly. 
-------------------------------------  --------------------  --------------------------- 
 Development risk 
 Failure to secure                      Abortive costs        Planning permission 
  planning permission                    Reputation            is sought only 
                                                               after engaging 
                                                               in depth with all 
                                                               stakeholders. 
-------------------------------------  --------------------  --------------------------- 
 Contractor solvency                    Reduced development   Only leading contractors 
  and availability                       returns               are engaged. Prior 
                                         Cost overruns         to appointment, 
                                         Loss of rental        contractors are 
                                         revenue               the subject of 
                                                               a due diligence 
                                                               check and assessed 
                                                               for financial viability. 
-------------------------------------  --------------------  --------------------------- 
 Downturn in investment                 Net asset value       Developments are 
  or occupational markets                Cash flow             undertaken only 
                                         Profitability         after an appropriate 
                                                               level of pre-lets 
                                                               have been sought. 
-------------------------------------  --------------------  --------------------------- 
 
 
 
 Risk                     Areas of impact          Mitigation 
-----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------------- 
 SUSTAINABILITY 
  RISKS 
 Increasing building      Rental income,           Continual assessment 
  regulation and           cash flow,               of all properties against 
  obsolescence             vacancy rate,            emerging regulatory 
                           net asset                changes. Fit-out and 
                           value, profitability,    refurbishment projects 
                           liquid resources         benchmarked against 
                                                    third party schemes. 
-----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Climate change           Net asset                Board responsibility 
                           value, profitability,    for environment. Dedicated 
                           liquid resources         specialist personnel. 
                                                    Increased due diligence 
                                                    when making acquisitions. 
                                                    Investment in energy 
                                                    efficient plant and 
                                                    building mounted renewable 
                                                    energy systems. 
-----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Increasing energy        Net asset                Investment in energy 
  costs and regulation     value, profitability,    efficient plant and 
                           liquid resources         building mounted renewable 
                                                    energy systems. 
-----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Funding risks 
 Unavailability           Cost of borrowing        The Group has a dedicated 
  of financing             Ability to               Treasury department 
  at acceptable            invest or                and relationships are 
  prices                   develop                  maintained with some 
                                                    23 banks, thus reducing 
                                                    credit and liquidity 
                                                    risk. The exposure on 
                                                    refinancing debt is 
                                                    mitigated by the lack 
                                                    of concentration in 
                                                    maturities. 
-----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Adverse interest         Cost of borrowing        The Group's exposure 
  rate movements           Cost of hedging          to changes in prevailing 
                                                    market rates is largely 
                                                    hedged on existing debt 
                                                    through interest rate 
                                                    swaps and caps, or by 
                                                    borrowing at fixed rates. 
-----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Breach of borrowing      Cost of borrowing        Financial covenants 
  covenants                                         are monitored by the 
                                                    Treasury department 
                                                    and regularly reported 
                                                    to the Board. 
-----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Foreign currency         Net asset                Property investments 
  exposure                 value                    are partially funded 
                           Profitability            in matching currency. 
                                                    The difference between 
                                                    the value of the property 
                                                    and the amount of the 
                                                    financing is generally 
                                                    unhedged and monitored 
                                                    on an ongoing basis. 
-----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------------- 
 Financial counterparty   Loss of deposits         The Group has a dedicated 
  credit risk              Cost of rearranging      Treasury department 
                           facilities               and relationships are 
                           Incremental              maintained with some 
                           cost                     23 banks, thus 
                           of borrowing             reducing credit and 
                                                    liquidity risk. The 
                                                    exposure on re-financing 
                                                    debt is mitigated by 
                                                    the lack of concentration 
                                                    in maturities. 
-----------------------  -----------------------  ---------------------------- 
 
 
 Risk                 Areas of impact      Mitigation 
-------------------  -------------------  ------------------------------- 
 Taxation risk 
 Increases in         Cash flow            The Group monitors legislative 
  tax rates or         Profitability        proposals and consults 
  changes to the       Net asset            external advisors to 
  basis of taxation    value                understand and mitigate 
                                            the effects of any such 
                                            change. 
-------------------  -------------------  ------------------------------- 
 Political and 
  economic risk 
 Break-up of          Net asset            Euro-denominated liquid 
  the Euro             value                resources are kept to 
                       Profitability        a minimum. Euro property 
                                            assets are largely financed 
                                            with euro borrowings. 
-------------------  -------------------  ------------------------------- 
 Economic downturn    Cash flow            The Group's property 
                       Profitability        portfolio is diversified 
                       Net asset            across four countries. 
                       value                The weighted-average 
                       Banking covenants    unexpired lease term 
                                            is 6.4 years and the 
                                            Group's largest customer 
                                            concentration is with 
                                            the Government sector 
                                            (46.8%). 58.2% of rental 
                                            income is subject to 
                                            indexation. 
-------------------  -------------------  ------------------------------- 
 Going concern 
 The Group will       Pervasive            The Directors regularly 
  not have adequate                         stress-test the business 
  working capital                           model to ensure the 
  to remain a                               Group has adequate working 
  going concern                             capital. 
  for the next 
  12 months. 
-------------------  -------------------  ------------------------------- 
 
 

business review

The main activity of the Group is the investment in commercial real estate across five European regions - London, the rest of the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Sweden - with a focus on providing well-managed, cost-effective offices for cost-conscious occupiers in key European cities.

The Group's total property interests have increased to GBP1,382.1 million at 31 December 2014, comprising the wholly-owned property investment portfolio valued at GBP1,310.1 million, a hotel with a value of GBP21.3 million, vacation sites valued at GBP20.5 million (the Group's share), and a 13.5% interest in Swedish listed property company Catena AB, valued at GBP30.2 million.

PROPERTIES

OVERVIEW At 31 December 2014, the directly held investment property portfolio was independently valued at GBP1,310.1 million (31 December 2013: GBP1,132.9 million). This increase of GBP177.2 million primarily comprised new acquisitions and development expenditure of GBP79.8 million in aggregate, and a GBP186.5 million valuation uplift; the effects of these were mitigated by disposals of GBP28.6 million, the transfer of the recently-completed Spring Mews hotel to Property, Plant and Equipment, and the GBP37.8 million negative impact of exchange rate movements. In local currencies, the portfolio rose by 15.8%, after acquisitions and development expenditure. The driver was the outstanding performance of the London portfolio, which increased in value by 34.1%; Germany rose by 2.9% and France by 1.7%, whilst the rest of UK fell by 0.3% and Sweden by 15.8%.

Over 40% of the uplift in the value of the London portfolio came from four development schemes, of which two reached practical completion in the second half of the year, a third, Westminster Tower SE1, gained planning consent, and the fourth, Vauxhall Square, moved twelve months closer to our gaining vacant possession in early 2017. The medium-term development programme was extended during the year, with the planning consent gained on Westminster Tower, and with two French properties providing the opportunity for redevelopment.

Of the GBP31.6 million spent on acquisitions in the year, GBP27.4 million related to two modern, multi-let office buildings in a suburb of Hamburg. Cambridge House, Hammersmith was sold in April for GBP29.5 million, 32% above its valuation four months earlier. Contracted rent rose in the twelve months by 1.7% on a like-for-like basis, whilst the annualised rent rose by 2.3%, including GBP3.5 million of income from the completed developments. The increase in the capital values of the London properties far outstripped the increase in their rents, reducing the net initial yield of the overall investment property portfolio (excluding developments) at 31 December 2014 to 6.5% (2013: 7.0%). The average rent across the Group remained very affordable at GBP158 per sqm, and the average capital value was also low at just GBP2,352 per sqm. This was very close to replacement cost, meaning that the land element of our investments in key European cities was minimal. This also highlights how successful the Group can be in attracting occupiers with cost-effective rents.

The bedrock of the Group's rental income is strong, with 47% being paid by government occupiers and 21% from major corporations, and 58% of our rents are subject to indexation. The weighted average lease length at 31 December 2014 was 6.4 years, or 5.1 years to first break. Some over-rented leases expire in 2015, notably in Sweden, and thereafter the portfolio is broadly let at current market rents.

The overall vacancy rate reached an all-time low at just 3.0% (2013: 4.4%), including a reduction in France of more than a half, from 10.6% to 5.1%. This is testament to the benefit of active in-house asset and property management, and of maintaining strong links with our occupiers to ensure we understand and respond to their needs.

The benefits of the Group's geographical diversification remain self-evident: there is strong growth in the London portfolio, at a time when there are good investment opportunities and readily available debt in Germany.

The Group maintains its strong commitment to sustainability, which has benefited both occupiers and the Group. The Corporate, Social and Environmental Responsibility Report in the 2014 Annual Report and Accounts provides more detail.

LONDON

The UK economy remains relatively robust - GDP growth was 2.6% in 2014 and a similar level is forecast for 2015, unemployment is 5.7% and set to fall, and inflation is under control - and London is the engine which drives it. The property market in London benefits from these conditions. It continues to show an imbalance of demand exceeding supply, in both the investment and the occupancy markets, and this has manifested in a fall in investment yields and in a rise in rental values, both within Central London and across its suburbs.

In the two years to 31 December 2013, the Group took advantage of buying opportunities in suburban London, investing GBP40.9 million at an average net initial yield of 9.9%. A subsequent significant increase in competition for such offices, coupled with more readily available bank finance, has since reduced yields by some 200 basis points. Whilst we continued actively to compete in these markets in 2014, we restricted our attention to opportunities in which we could see the better returns, and acquired Berkeley House, Datchet for GBP2.2 million plus costs, generating a net initial yield of 10.75%.

We have, however, taken the opportunity to dispose selectively of certain types of property. Following the sale in late 2013 of Ingram House, John Adam Street, WC2 for GBP13.2 million at a capital value before refurbishment costs of over GBP10,000 per sqm, in April we sold Cambridge House W6 for GBP29.5 million at a net initial yield of 2.34%, which, considered a development site, reflected its 50% vacancy.

The London occupancy market strengthened in 2014, and with a lack of new developments to satisfy this demand, rental values rose. On average, new lettings were achieved at 8.2% above the ervs of 31 December 2013. During 2014 ervs of the London portfolio rose by 9.7%, and at 31 December 2014 the London portfolio was net reversionary. Those leases which were reversionary were GBP4.1 million or 11.6% under-rented; of the GBP1.3 million (3.7%) of over-renting in London, more than GBP0.9 million was on leases which expire in 2022 or later. The vacancy rate for London remains very low at just 3.3%, excluding development stock (2013: 3.2%). During 2014, 6,365 sqm became vacant and we let or renewed leases on 5,661 sqm.

Of the developments in Central London, two have completed, a third continues to make good progress, and a fourth was added during the year. At Spring Mews, Vauxhall SE11, practical completion was reached on the 20,800 sqm mixed-use scheme, comprising a 378 bed student accommodation building, and a 93 bedroom suite hotel, together with retail and office space. The student accommodation was ready for the start of the academic year in September and achieved full occupancy in its first year. At the hotel a franchise agreement is in place with Intercontinental Hotel Group for a Staybridge branded suite hotel, run by specialist franchise operator, Cycas Hospitality. Following the fit-out, the hotel opened for business shortly after the year end. The 245 sqm of retail and 1,000 sqm of offices within the scheme are expected to be let in 2015. Under IFRS, the hotel element of the scheme is carried in the balance sheet at market value within Property, Plant and Equipment.

 
                               Investment Properties       Spring Mews 
                                                                 hotel 
----------------------------  ----------------------  ---------------- 
 Value                              GBP705.0 million   GBP21.3 million 
 Group's property interests                      51%                2% 
 No. of properties                                34                 1 
 Lettable space                          158,892 sqm          93 rooms 
 EPRA net initial yield(1)                      5.2%               n/a 
 Vacancy rate                                   3.3%               n/a 
 Valuation uplift                              34.1%               n/a 
 Government and major                            72%               n/a 
  corporates 
 Average unexpired lease                   7.0 years               n/a 
  length 
 To first break                            6.1 years               n/a 
----------------------------  ----------------------  ---------------- 
 

(1) excluding developments

The comprehensive refurbishment of Clifford's Inn, EC4 was completed towards the end of the year to provide 2,769 sqm of top quality office space and eight new residential apartments. The offices were launched on the occupational market in January 2015 and the eight apartments are to be marketed later in the year.

The Nine Elms/Vauxhall district of London continues to be the most industrious development area in the capital. The developments of the new American and Dutch embassies are well advanced, as is the demolition of Market Towers by Chinese developer Dalian Wanda Group, in preparation for the development of One Nine Elms, a five star hotel and high-end residential scheme. Developments are well advanced at Riverlight, Embassy Gardens and Battersea Power Station, other developers have started on site in the past twelve months, such as Sainsbury's/Barratt Homes and Bellway Homes, both on Wandsworth Road, and Keybridge House on South Lambeth Road was bought by developer Mount Anvil/A2 Dominion in November.

In early 2017 we are due to gain vacant possession of the site which comprises Vauxhall Square, SW8, which, adjacent to the main transport hub, is the gateway into Nine Elms/Vauxhall. We have continued to make good progress during the year on this 143,000 sqm mixed-use development scheme in the heart of Vauxhall. In January 2014 we entered into a conditional long lease with a specialist student housing developer/operator to build and manage the 359 student room building adjacent to the main Vauxhall Square site, and we continue to make progress to satisfy the conditionality. Planning consent was granted during the year to reconfigure this building to provide 454 student rooms. Consent was also granted to upgrade one of the hotels in our scheme from a mid-market offer to a four-star hotel with conferencing facilities.

At Westminster Tower, SE1, on the south side of Lambeth Bridge, detailed planning consent was granted for a major refurbishment of the existing 14 storey building, the addition of three further stories, and the conversion from an office building to 34 residential units (of which 11 will be of shared ownership) and 1,441 sqm of offices. Vacant possession is expected to be secured in the medium term.

The 34.1% uplift in the values of the London portfolio reflected both strong growth in the value of underlying investment properties and very strong growth in the values of the four developments. The let investment properties benefited from an uplift of 9.7% in ervs in the twelve months, and from a reduction in the true equivalent yields of 90 bps, which together contributed to a 27.8% uplift in values. The increase in value of the developments reflected profits recognised for the first time on completed developments, the granting of planning consent on Westminster Tower, and the continued strength of the Nine Elms/Vauxhall area. The valuation of Vauxhall Square benefited from a 5.5% increase in residential values reflecting price movements across the Nine Elms/Vauxhall area, office yields tightened by 50 bps and rents rose by over 15%. In total the four developments of Spring Mews, Clifford's Inn, Westminster Tower and Vauxhall Square shared an uplift of 48.3% in the twelve months after capital expenditure, representing 44% of the total uplift in London in the year. Of the remaining GBP104.2 million of London's uplift, two properties with long leases to Central Government departments added GBP63.8 million - an uplift of 30.6% - and the rest of the London portfolio rose by 16.4%. At 31 December 2014 the valuation of the London portfolio, except Vauxhall Square, was undertaken by DTZ for the first time; Vauxhall Square continued to be valued by Knight Frank.

REST OF UK

 
 Value                              GBP97.6 million 
 Group's property interests                      7% 
 No. of properties                               32 
 Lettable space                          98,086 sqm 
 EPRA net initial yield                       12.8% 
 Vacancy rate                                  0.9% 
 Valuation fall                               -0.3% 
 Government and major corporates               100% 
 Average unexpired lease length           6.6 years 
 To first break                           4.1 years 
---------------------------------  ---------------- 
 

The Rest of UK portfolio was acquired in September 2013 as part of the Neo portfolio of government-occupied offices across the UK.

The portfolio is 99% let to 14 government departments. In 2014, we renewed two leases, at 12.2% above their ervs of 31 December 2013, and agreed five index-linked rent reviews at an average of 17.7% above previous rents; in aggregate GBP265,000 was added to the rent roll.

The UK economic recovery driven by London has begun to reach other areas around the UK, and in 2014 ervs rose in the Rest of UK portfolio. However, the portfolio has a concentration of lease expiries and breaks in March 2018 and the external valuers are required by their professional rules to assume that each event affects the value as if it will be exercised. This negatively affected the value of the Rest of UK portfolio, increasing its true equivalent yield by 97 bps, which offset the impact of new lettings and erv growth, and the portfolio fell marginally in the year by 0.3%. At 31 December 2014 the valuation of the Rest of UK portfolio was undertaken by DTZ for the first time.

FRANCE

The French economy stagnated in the first half of 2014 before picking up slightly over the summer. GDP growth is projected to continue at a slow pace in 2015, helped by lower energy prices, a favourable exchange rate and improvements in the global environment.

With an undersupply of new developments, and an increase in the number of projects on hold, headline rents in Paris stabilised following their fall in 2013. However, vacancy rates in the markets of La Defense and the Western Crescent of Paris now stand at 12%.

It is in these difficult conditions that the French team managed to more than halve our vacancy rate in France to only 5.1% (2013: 10.6%). Whilst 15,949 sqm of space was subject to expiries or vacancies in the year, 19,317 sqm was let. This was achieved at a weighted average rent of less than 1.5% below ervs at 31 December 2013.

In August we disposed of Blocks C and D of Le Quatuor, 168 Avenue Jean Jaurès, Montrouge under a compulsory purchase order to facilitate the expansion of the local train station to accommodate the Grand Paris project. The disposal was made at a gain of GBP1.7 million above the 2013 external valuation, and Blocks A and B which remain in our ownership will benefit in the fullness of time from the improvements to the area which this new railway line will bring.

 
 Value                              GBP225.1 million 
 Group's property interests                      16% 
 No. of properties                                26 
 Lettable space                           92,147 sqm 
 EPRA net initial yield(1)                      6.2% 
 Vacancy rate                                   5.1% 
 Valuation uplift                               1.7% 
 Government and major corporates                 56% 
 Average unexpired lease length            5.2 years 
 To first break                            2.6 years 
---------------------------------  ----------------- 
 

(1) excluding developments

The French portfolio valuation rose by 1.7% in the year in local currency, but fell by 4.9% in sterling. The underlying portfolio of 24 of our 26 properties rose in value by 2.7%, reflecting the fall in vacancies across the portfolio, offset by a fall in ervs in the year of 1.1%. The values of the other two properties fell by 9.1% in aggregate. These properties were the Group's most central property in Paris, 1,800 sqm of offices directly opposite the Banque de France in Rue Croix des Petits Champs, and 3,700 sqm of offices in Rue Eugène Ruppert in Luxembourg. Both became empty during the year and provide excellent opportunities to carry out significant refurbishments or developments in the next few months.

Top 10 Customers

The ten customers which contribute most rental income to the Group account for 48.7% of the rent roll, and comprise:

 
 London 
                                                    Government 
   *    National Crime Agency 
                                                    Government 
   *    Trillium 
                                                    Major Corporation 
   *    Cap Gemini 
                                                    Major Corporation 
   *    BAE Systems 
 
 Rest of UK 
                                                    Government 
   *    Secretary of State 
 
 Germany 
                                                    Government 
   *    City of Bochum 
                                                    Major Corporation 
   *    BrainLab 
                                                    Major Corporation 
   *    E.ON 
 
 Sweden 
                                                    Government 
   *    Västra Götaland Country Council 
                                                    Government 
   *    Vänersborg Kommun 
 

GERMANY

In 2014, Germany's GDP growth of 1.5% remained relatively weak and it is projected to grow only gradually, its otherwise robust labour market and expansionary monetary policy being constrained by weakness in its trading partners.

We continue to see good investment value in German real estate, supported by favourable financing conditions. Last year we bought Bismarckallee 18/20 in Freiburg, and in December 2014 we unconditionally exchanged on the acquisition of Schellerdamm 2 and Schellerdamm 16, two modern, multi-let office buildings in the Harburg district of Hamburg providing 18,665 sqm of lettable space and 287 car parking spaces. Completion took place shortly after the year end at a price of EUR32.35 million plus costs, generating a net initial yield of 6.4%, which we financed with a seven-year loan from a local Sparkasse bank at a cost fixed at less than 2% per annum.

During 2014, lettings and renewals totalled 6,023 sqm whilst only 2,256 sqm were vacated by occupiers, and as a consequence the vacancy rate fell to 2.6% (2013: 3.5%); two years ago the German portfolio was 7.4% vacant. New leases and renewals were achieved at an average of 4.1% above ervs at the end of 2013.

The valuation of the German portfolio rose by 2.9% in local currencies, but fell by 3.4% in sterling. However, the underlying portfolio of 16 out the 18 properties rose in value by 4.8%, partly due to the reduction in voids, and partly because the equivalent yield fell by 20 bps; ervs were virtually unchanged in the year. Of the other two properties, Harburg was acquired at the end of the year and rose by 1.4% after costs, and Kapellenstrasse 12, Feldkirchen fell by 16.6% after the sole tenant announced its intention to vacate the building when its lease expires at the end of 2016. The value of this building is unlikely to fall significantly further in value before then.

 
 Value                              GBP235.5 million 
 Group's property interests                      17% 
 No. of properties                                19 
 Lettable space                          170,743 sqm 
 EPRA net initial yield                         6.7% 
 Vacancy rate                                   2.6% 
 Valuation uplift                               2.9% 
 Government and major corporates                 39% 
 Average unexpired lease length            7.1 years 
 To first break                            7.0 years 
---------------------------------  ----------------- 
 

SWEDEN

Investment Property

 
 Value                              GBP46.9 million 
 Group's property interests                      3% 
 No. of properties                                1 
 Lettable space                          45,354 sqm 
 EPRA net initial yield                        8.5% 
 Vacancy rate                                  0.8% 
 Valuation fall                              -15.8% 
 Government and major corporates                96% 
 Average unexpired lease length           2.8 years 
 To first break                           2.8 years 
---------------------------------  ---------------- 
 

Financial Investment

 
 Value in Catena               GBP30.2 million 
 Group's property interests                 2% 
 Interest in Catena                      13.5% 
----------------------------  ---------------- 
 

Property, Plant & Equipment

 
 Value in First Camp                GBP5.9 million 
 Group's property interests                     2% 
 Interest in First Camp                      58.0% 
 Gross value of assets             GBP35.4 million 
 Share of gross value of assets    GBP20.5 million 
--------------------------------  ---------------- 
 

The Group's interests in Sweden consist of two operating segments: Investment Properties and Other Investments. The Other Investments are an equity stake in a financial investment and a subsidiary, both of which invest in Swedish real estate, and as they operate against the same economic backdrop, are considered together with the directly-held Swedish investment property in this Strategic Review.

Sweden's economy has continued to show signs of robustness. Inflation is running at marginally below 0%, unemployment is around 7%, and the Riksbank has reduced its Repo rate to 0% and expects GDP growth of 2.6% in 2015. The direct property market in Sweden has remained dominated by domestic demand with readily available finance, and in 2014 we have been able to find better returns elsewhere in the areas in which we invest.

At the 45,354 sqm office complex, Vänerparken, near Gothenburg, negotiations have progressed with the main local government occupier on lease renewals in mid-2015 which currently account for SEK 47.0 million of the SEK 71.3 million rental income from the property. It is likely that this occupier will remain only in part of the building complex, vacating in particular much of the basement and storage areas, and at a rent per square metre well below the current over-rented levels. Ervs at 31 December 2014 have fallen by 24.5% from their levels twelve months earlier and this is the primary reason for the fall in the property's market value by 15.8% in local currency (25.6% in sterling) in the year.

Catena AB's share price rose by 5.8% in 2014 to SEK 105.75 per share, but as sterling appreciated against the krona by 12.4% the sterling carrying value of the investment fell by a net 7.4%. Catena remains very profitable and we received a dividend of GBP0.7 million in the year.

At 31 December 2013, the Group held a 44.2% interest in its associate, Cood Investments AB. During the year the interest in Cood was sold, and certain income-producing assets of Cood were acquired by First Camp Sverige Holding AB, a newly-formed subsidiary in which the Group holds a 58% interest. The assets, predominantly camp sites in Sweden, were valued at GBP35.4 million (Group's share: GBP20.5 million) at 31 December 2014, and the Group's share in the net assets of First Camp at that date was GBP5.9 million.

Exchange rates to the GBP

 
                           EUR       SEK 
---------------------  -------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2012    1.2317   10.5677 
 2013 average rate      1.1779   10.1926 
 At 31 December 2013    1.2041   10.6562 
 2014 average rate      1.2410   11.2984 
 At 31 December 2014    1.2876   12.1654 
---------------------  -------  -------- 
 

RESULTS FOR THE YEAR

HEADLINES Profit after tax of GBP194.9 million (2013: GBP63.2 million) generated EPRA earnings per share of 77.4 pence (2013: 66.2 pence), and basic earnings per share of 449.0 pence (2013: 146.9 pence). Gross property assets at 31 December 2014 were GBP1,310.1 million (2013: GBP1,132.9 million), EPRA net assets per share were 39.9% higher at 1,774.1 pence (2013: 1,268.4 pence), and basic net assets per share rose by 39.0% to 1,521.1 pence (2013: 1,094.1 pence).

A key feature of the Group is its ability to generate cash through the yield on its portfolio far exceeding its cost of debt, and the low vacancy rate driven by in-house asset management. Net cash flow from operating activities, including interest received, was GBP34.5 million which represented a cash return of 7.2% on opening net assets.

Approximately 50% of the Group's business is conducted in the reporting currency of sterling, around 45% in euros, and the balance is in Swedish kronor. Compared to last year, sterling strengthened against the euro by 5.4% and against the krona by 10.8%, reducing profits accordingly. Likewise, at 31 December 2014 the euro was 6.9% weaker and the krona 14.2% weaker against sterling than twelve months previously, reducing the sterling equivalent value of non-sterling net assets.

INCOME STATEMENT At GBP84.4 million, rental income in 2014 was GBP8.4 million higher than in 2013, largely through a full year's impact of acquisitions made in 2013, which added GBP13.6 million, offset by disposals of GBP2.0 million, and the strength of the sterling which lowered rent by GBP2.4 million. First Camp added GBP0.7 million of income for the first time, and net rental income of GBP82.2 million was 12.4% higher than last year (2013: GBP73.1 million).

We monitor the administration expenses incurred in running the property portfolio by reference to the income derived from it, which we call the administration cost ratio, and this is a key performance indicator of the Group. In 2014, retaining key staff whilst expanding staff levels for the development programme and property purchases, drove the increase in administration expenses of the property segment of the Group to GBP12.8 million (2013: GBP11.9 million). As a proportion of net rental income, the administration cost ratio reduced to 15.7% (2013: 16.3%).

The net surplus on revaluation of investment properties of GBP186.0 million was predominantly generated by the London portfolio, which rose in value by GBP185.1 million. GBP80.9 million (an uplift of 48.3%) of this reflected increases in the value of the four developments mentioned above, GBP63.8 million (an uplift of 30.6%) was generated on Spring Gardens, SE11 and 214/236 Gray's Inn Road, WC1, both of which have long leases with Central Government departments, and GBP40.4 million (an uplift of 16.4%) came from the rest of the let portfolio.

The majority of the profit on sale of investment properties was generated by the disposals of Cambridge House W6 and Blocks C and D of Le Quatuor in Paris, which realised a gain of GBP8.5 million after costs over their aggregate valuation at 31 December 2013 of GBP28.6 million.

In August, the Group increased its interest in its associate, Cood investments AB, from 44.2% to 58.0%, whereupon Cood was reclassified as a subsidiary at fair value, generating a gain on reclassification of GBP0.2 million. The increase of 13.8% was acquired for a price below the fair value of the share of net assets acquired, which produced a gain on acquisition of GBP1.2 million.

The majority of finance income of GBP7.7 million (2013: GBP7.6 million) was interest income of GBP6.1 million (2013: GBP6.3 million) from our corporate bond portfolio. At 31 December 2014, this had a value of GBP61.8 million, and remained an important cash management tool of the Group, earning a return on capital of 8.7% in the year.

Finance costs of GBP28.1 million (2013: GBP23.7 million) were higher than last year as they contained a GBP1.3 million loss on redeeming 25% of the zero coupon note, and non-cash items - an adverse movement in the fair value of derivatives of GBP0.9 million (2013: favourable GBP3.3 million) - added GBP4.2 million. The underlying interest cost, excluding these items, fell to GBP24.8 million (2013: GBP25.2 million), after capitalising interest of GBP2.9 million (2013: GBP0.9 million) on Spring Mews and Clifford's Inn, which will not recur next year. A full year of interest on the GBP80 million secured notes issued in December 2013 to finance the Neo acquisition added GBP2.9 million to gross interest costs in 2014. However, 68% of our debt is at floating rates to take advantage of the low interest rate environment, and the fall in Libor and its European equivalents reduced the cost of bank loans by GBP0.6 million compared to 2013.

Investments in associates have been largely sold or written down during the year, and at 31 December 2014 stood at only GBP1.5 million. We received a dividend from Bulgarian Land Development Plc of GBP0.8 million, and provided GBP2.2 million for the full impairment of the rest of the carrying value of the investment to reflect the difficult conditions likely to prevail in the Bulgarian residential holiday market.

Once again this year the tax charge of 17.7% was significantly below the weighted average rate of the countries in which we do business (22.1%), primarily due to indexation allowances available on United Kingdom properties.

Overall, profit after tax attributable to owners of the Company of GBP194.9 million (2013: GBP63.2 million) was GBP131.7 million above that of last year. In 2013, the underlying profit after tax, before gains on the sale of bonds (GBP14.1 million) and on the reclassification of an associate (GBP14.9 million), was GBP34.2 million. EPRA profit after tax of GBP33.6 million (2013: GBP28.5 million) was 17.9% or GBP5.1 million higher in 2014, and the property valuation, net of deferred tax, was GBP154.5 million higher.

EPRA NET ASSET VALUE At 31 December 2014, EPRA net assets per share (a diluted measure which highlights the fair value of the business on a long-term basis) were 1,774.1 pence (2013: 1,268.4 pence), a rise of 39.9%, or 505.7 pence per share. The main reasons for the increase were the uplift in the valuation of the investment property portfolio which added 433.5 pence, and underlying profit after tax which added 98.9 pence. Sundry fair value uplifts of property, plant and equipment, equities and bonds added 24.0 pence, but the strength of sterling against the euro and krona reduced EPRA net assets per share by 45.0 pence.

CASH FLOW, NET DEBT AND GEARING At 31 December 2014, the Group's cash balances of GBP100.2 million were GBP29.6 million lower than twelve months previously. Operating activities generated GBP34.5 million, of which GBP15.5 million was returned to shareholders, and proceeds from property disposals added GBP37.1 million. GBP45.2 million was spent on capital expenditure, particularly on the developments at Spring Mews and Clifford's Inn, and repayment of loans exceeded the proceeds from new ones by GBP32.6 million.

Gross debt fell by GBP54.3 million in a relatively quiet year for completing financing deals, and half of the fall was through retranslating non-sterling debt. One new loan of GBP22.5 million was taken out to replace GBP18.7 million repaid, and GBP13.4 million of loans were acquired by First Camp. GBP24.8 million was returned to the banks through amortisation, and a net GBP18.7 million of overdrafts were repaid. At the end of the year the weighted average unexpired term of the Group's debt was 3.9 years. Since the year end, the Harburg acquisition was financed with EUR24.0 million for seven years at a fixed cost of 1.915% p.a., and Spring Gardens was refinanced with GBP97 million for six years.

Balance sheet loan-to-value (net debt to gross assets less cash) fell to 43.4% (2013: 52.8%), and the weighted average loan-to-value on borrowings secured against properties was a comfortable 49.7% (2013: 56.3%). Adjusted solidity was 48.0% (2013: 39.9%).

The weighted average cost of debt at 31 December 2014 was 3.64%, which fell to a pro forma 3.58% after the financings of Harburg and Spring Gardens in February 2015, and it remains one of the lowest in the property sector. The cost of new bank financing has fallen in the past few months, particularly in the UK, but notwithstanding low medium-term rates, refinancing existing debts as they fall due will probably gradually increase the average cost of debt of the Group.

In 2014, our low cost of debt led to recurring interest cover of a comfortable 3.3 times (2013: 3.2 times).

FINANCING STRATEGY The Group's strategy is to hold its investment properties predominantly in single-purpose vehicles financed primarily by non-recourse bank debt in the currency used to purchase the asset. In this way credit and liquidity risk can most easily be managed, around 75% of the Group's exposure to foreign currency is naturally hedged, and the most efficient use can be made of the Group's assets. Bank debt ordinarily attracts covenants on loan-to-value and on interest and debt service cover. The Group had 60 loans across the portfolio from 23 banks, plus a debenture, a zero coupon note, secured notes and two unsecured bonds.

To the extent that Group borrowings are not at fixed rates, the Group's exposure to interest rate risk is mitigated by the use of financial derivatives, particularly interest rate caps and swaps. Since 2009, the Board has believed that interest rates were likely to remain low longer than the forward interest curve would imply, and, therefore, its policy has been to allow a majority of debt to remain subject to floating rates. To mitigate the risk of interest rates increasing more sharply than the Board expected, the Group entered into interest rate caps. This policy has served the Group well. At 31 December 2014, 32% of the Group's borrowings were at fixed rates or subject to interest rate swaps, 41% were subject to caps and 27% of debt costs were unhedged. With long-term rates now at historically low levels, particularly for the euro, the Board may seek to fix rates over the medium term with interest rate swaps when the opportunity arises, such as on the recent Harburg acquisition.

The Group's financial derivatives - predominantly interest rate caps and interest rate swaps - are marked to market at each balance sheet date. At 31 December 2014 they represented a net liability of GBP7.3 million (2013: GBP5.2 million).

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS In May 2014, GBP10.0 million was distributed to shareholders by means of a tender offer buy-back of 1 in 66 shares at 1,495 pence per share. In September, a further GBP5.5 million was distributed by means of a tender offer buy-back of 1 in 119 shares at 1,500 pence per share, and a proposed tender offer buy-back of 1 in 80 shares at 1,950 pence per share to return GBP10.4 million will be put to shareholders at the Annual General Meeting in April 2015. This represents a 7.6% uplift in distribution per share over the equivalent distribution last year.

SHARE CAPITAL At 1 January 2014, there were 46,856,893 shares in issue, of which 2,903,103 were held as treasury shares. Shares were cancelled during the year under the distribution policy of tender offer buy-backs: in May, 665,966 shares were cancelled in exchange for GBP10.0 million distributed to shareholders, and in September, 363,763 shares were cancelled in exchange for a distribution of GBP5.5 million.

Consequently, at 31 December 2014, 42,924,061 shares were listed on the London Stock Exchange, and 2,903,103 shares remained held in Treasury.

TOTAL RETURNS TO SHAREHOLDERS

In addition to the distributions and share cancellations associated with the tender offer buy-backs, shareholders benefited from a rise in the share price in the year from 1,379 pence on 31 December 2013 to 1,529 pence at 31 December 2014. Accordingly, the total shareholder return in 2014 was 10.9%. In the five years to 31 December 2014, our total shareholder return of 206.6%, which represented a compound annual return of 25.1%, was one of the best performances in the listed real estate sector.

Since the Company listed on the London Stock Exchange, it has outperformed the FTSE Real Estate and FTSE All Share indices.

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Our performance against our key performance indicators is set out in the 2014 Annual Report and Accounts.

Property Portfolio

Rental data

 
                 Gross       Net 
                rental    rental              Contracted                            Vacancy 
                income    income                    rent     ERV                       rate 
                   for       for                      at      at       Contracted        at 
                   the       the   Lettable         year    year     rent subject      year 
                  year      year      space          end     end    to indexation       end 
                  GBPm      GBPm       sq m         GBPm    GBPm             GBPm         % 
------------  --------  --------  ---------  -----------  ------  ---------------  -------- 
 London           32.4      31.7    158,892         34.9    38.9              6.0      3.3% 
 Rest of 
  UK              13.3      13.3     98,086         13.3     9.8              6.1      0.9% 
 France           17.1      17.0     92,147         15.9    15.8             15.9      5.1% 
 Germany          15.3      14.9    170,743         17.5    16.9             17.1      2.6% 
 Sweden            6.3       4.6     45,354          5.9     3.7              5.9      0.8% 
------------  --------  --------  ---------  -----------  ------  --------------- 
 Total 
  Portfolio       84.4      81.5    565,222         87.5    85.1             51.0      3.0% 
------------  --------  --------  ---------  -----------  ------  --------------- 
 

Valuation data

 
                                 Valuation 
                                  movement 
                                 in the year 
                          ----------------------- 
                                                                   EPRA 
                  Market                                         topped 
                   value                                EPRA         up 
                      of                  Foreign        net        net                                    True 
                property   Underlying    exchange    initial    initial                              equivalent 
                    GBPm         GBPm        GBPm      yield      yield   Reversion   Over-rented         yield 
------------  ----------  -----------  ----------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ------------  ------------ 
 London            705.0        185.1           -       5.2%       5.2%       11.6%          3.7%          6.1% 
 Rest of 
  UK                97.6        (0.3)           -      12.8%      12.9%        2.6%         30.3%         10.0% 
 France            225.1          4.0      (15.6)       6.2%       6.7%        3.0%          9.4%          6.6% 
 Germany           235.5          6.9      (15.2)       6.7%       6.8%        2.0%          8.1%          5.9% 
 Sweden             46.9        (9.2)       (7.0)       8.5%       8.5%        2.3%         39.3%          7.0% 
------------  ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 Total 
  Portfolio      1,310.1        186.5      (37.8)       6.5%       6.6%        6.1%         12.0% 
------------  ----------  -----------  ---------- 
 

Lease Data

 
                   Average               Passing rent of 
                     lease               leases expiring             ERV of leases expiring 
                    length                     in:                             in: 
              -----------------  ------------------------------  ------------------------------ 
                                                   Year                            Year 
                                                      3   After                       3   After 
                   To        To    Year    Year      to    year    Year    Year      to    year 
                break    expiry       1       2       5       5       1       2       5       5 
                years     years    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
------------  -------  --------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 London           6.1       7.0     3.3     3.1     5.7    22.9     3.8     3.3     6.7    23.9 
 Rest of 
  UK              4.1       6.6     1.6     0.8     2.1     8.9     0.9     1.0     1.4     6.3 
 France           2.6       5.2     1.6     0.8     5.6     8.0     1.2     0.7     5.0     8.0 
 Germany          7.0       7.1     1.9     3.3     4.0     8.3     1.9     2.8     3.9     7.8 
 Sweden           2.8       2.8     3.9     0.2     0.5     1.3     1.7     0.2     0.5     1.3 
                                         ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Total 
  Portfolio       5.1       6.4    12.3     8.2    17.9    49.4     9.5     8.0    17.5    47.3 
                                         ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 

Responsibility statement

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

-- the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole;

-- the strategic report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face; and

-- the annual report and financial statements, taken as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and provide the information necessary for shareholders to assess the company's performance, business model and strategy.

This statement of responsibilities was approved by the Board on 4 March 2015.

By order of the Board

David Fuller BA FCIS

Company Secretary

4 March 2015

group income statement

for the year ended 31 December 2014

 
                                                       2014        2013 
                                            Notes      GBPm        GBPm 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------  ---------- 
 Continuing operations 
 Group revenue                                         99.6      91.2 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 Net rental income                              2      82.2      73.1 
 Administration expenses                             (13.6)    (12.4) 
 Other expenses                                       (4.9)     (3.5) 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 Group revenue less costs                              63.7      57.2 
 Net movements on revaluation 
  of investment properties                      8     186.0     (0.2) 
 Profit on sale of investment 
  property                                              8.7       4.5 
 Fair value gain on reclassification 
  of an associate as a subsidiary              24       0.2         - 
 Gain arising from acquisition                 24       1.2         - 
 Profit on sale of joint venture               25         -       1.8 
 Net gain on sale of corporate 
  bonds and other financial investments                   -      14.1 
 Fair value gain on reclassification 
  of an associate as an investment                        -      14.9 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 Operating profit                                     259.8      92.3 
 Finance income                                 3       7.7       7.6 
 Finance costs                                  4    (28.1)    (23.7) 
 Share of loss of associates 
  after tax                                    11     (2.6)     (4.8) 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 Profit before tax                                    236.8      71.4 
 Taxation                                       5    (42.0)     (8.2) 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 Profit for the year                                  194.8      63.2 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 Attributable to: 
 Owners of the Company                                194.9      63.2 
 Non-controlling interests                            (0.1)         - 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
                                                      194.8      63.2 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 
 Earnings per share from continuing 
  operations 
  (expressed in pence per share) 
 Basic                                          6     449.0     146.9 
 Diluted                                        6     449.0     146.7 
----------------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 

Group Statement of comprehensive income

for the year ended 31 December 2014

 
                                                    2014     2013 
                                          Notes     GBPm     GBPm 
 Profit for the year                               194.8     63.2 
--------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Other comprehensive income 
 Items that will not be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 Foreign exchange differences                     (14.7)      3.4 
--------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Items that may be reclassified 
  to profit or loss 
 Fair value gains/(losses) 
  on corporate bonds and other 
  financial investments                      12      3.2    (1.4) 
 Fair value losses/(gains) 
  taken to net gain on sale of 
  corporate bonds and other 
 financial investments                       12      0.2   (11.2) 
 Revaluation of property, plant 
  and equipment                               9      6.5        - 
 Deferred tax on net fair value 
  (gains)/losses                             16    (1.3)      3.1 
--------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 Total items that may be reclassified 
  to profit or loss                                  8.6    (9.5) 
--------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
 Total comprehensive income 
  for the year                                     188.7     57.1 
--------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
 Total comprehensive income 
  attributable to: 
 Owners of the Company                             187.5     57.1 
 Non-controlling interests                           1.2        - 
--------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
                                                   188.7     57.1 
--------------------------------------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
 

Group Balance Sheet

At 31 December 2014

 
                                                 2014        2013 
                                      Notes      GBPm        GBPm 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  ---------- 
 Non-current assets 
 Investment properties                    8   1,310.1   1,132.9 
 Property, plant and equipment            9      60.4       2.8 
 Goodwill                                10       1.1       1.1 
 Investments in associates               11       1.5       9.1 
 Other financial investments             12      99.9     104.3 
 Derivative financial instruments        18         -       0.4 
 Deferred tax                            16       4.8       6.4 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
                                              1,477.8   1,257.0 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 Current assets 
 Trade and other receivables             13      10.8      12.7 
 Derivative financial instruments        18         -       0.3 
 Cash and cash equivalents               14     100.2     129.8 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
                                                111.0     142.8 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 Total assets                                 1,588.8   1,399.8 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Trade and other payables                15    (68.1)    (40.3) 
 Current tax                                    (7.7)     (3.5) 
 Borrowings                              17   (192.8)    (77.5) 
 Derivative financial instruments        18     (1.0)         - 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
                                              (269.6)   (121.3) 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Deferred tax                            16   (105.9)    (74.4) 
 Borrowings                              17   (549.5)   (717.3) 
 Derivative financial instruments        18     (6.3)     (5.9) 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
                                              (661.7)   (797.6) 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 
 Total liabilities                            (931.3)   (918.9) 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 
 Net assets                                     657.5     480.9 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 
 Equity 
 Share capital                           19      11.5      11.7 
 Share premium                           21      82.9      82.9 
 Other reserves                          22      88.8      96.0 
 Retained earnings                              469.7     290.3 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 Equity attributable to owners 
  of the Company                                652.9     480.9 
 Non-controlling interests                        4.6         - 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 Total equity                                   657.5     480.9 
----------------------------------  -------  --------  -------- 
 

The financial statements of CLS Holdings plc (registered number: 2714781) were

approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 4 March 2015 and

were signed on its behalf by:

 
 Mr S A Mortstedt   Mr E H Klotz 
  Director           Director 
 

Group Statement of Changes in Equity

for the year ended 31 December 2014

 
                                         Share      Share       Other    Retained            Non-controlling     Total 
                                       capital    premium    reserves    earnings    Total          interest    equity 
                              Notes       GBPm       GBPm        GBPm        GBPm     GBPm              GBPm      GBPm 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Arising in 2014: 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the year                        -          -       (7.4)       194.9    187.5               1.2     188.7 
 Adjustment arising 
  from change in 
  non-controlling 
  interest                                   -          -           -           -        -               3.4       3.4 
 Purchase of own shares          19      (0.2)          -         0.2      (15.4)   (15.4)                 -    (15.4) 
 Expenses thereof                            -          -           -       (0.1)    (0.1)                 -     (0.1) 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Total changes arising 
  in 2014                                (0.2)          -       (7.2)       179.4    172.0               4.6     176.6 
 At 1 January 2014                        11.7       82.9        96.0       290.3    480.9                 -     480.9 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2014                      11.5       82.9        88.8       469.7    652.9               4.6     657.5 
---------------------------  ------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 
 
                                      Share      Share       Other    Retained            Non-controlling     Total 
                                    capital    premium    reserves    earnings    Total          interest    equity 
                           Notes       GBPm       GBPm        GBPm        GBPm     GBPm              GBPm      GBPm 
------------------------  ------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Arising in 2013: 
 Total comprehensive 
  income for the year                     -          -       (6.1)        63.2     57.1                 -      57.1 
 Issue of share capital                   -       11.4           -         8.0     19.4                 -      19.4 
 Expenses thereof                         -          -           -       (0.4)    (0.4)                 -     (0.4) 
 Exercise of share 
  options                                 -          -           -         1.4      1.4                 -       1.4 
 Purchase of own shares       19      (0.3)          -         0.3      (13.6)   (13.6)                 -    (13.6) 
 Expenses thereof                         -          -           -       (0.1)    (0.1)                 -     (0.1) 
------------------------  ------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Total changes arising 
  in 2013                             (0.3)       11.4       (5.8)        58.5     63.8                 -      63.8 
 At 1 January 2013                     12.0       71.5       101.8       231.8    417.1                 -     417.1 
------------------------  ------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2013                   11.7       82.9        96.0       290.3    480.9                 -     480.9 
------------------------  ------  ---------  ---------  ----------  ----------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 

Group Statement of Cash Flows

for the year ended 31 December 2014

 
                                                           2014      2013 
                                                 Notes     GBPm      GBPm 
----------------------------------------------  ------  -------  -------- 
 Cash flows from operating activities 
 Cash generated from operations                     23     53.3      63.4 
 Interest paid                                           (24.4)    (22.2) 
 Income tax paid                                          (2.5)     (5.4) 
----------------------------------------------  ------  -------  -------- 
 Net cash inflow from operating 
  activities                                               26.4      35.8 
----------------------------------------------  ------  -------  -------- 
 
 Cash flows from investing activities 
 Purchase of investment property                          (4.2)   (165.3) 
 Capital expenditure on investment 
  property                                               (45.2)    (34.3) 
 Net cash inflow from business                              2.9         - 
  acquisition 
 Proceeds from sale of investment 
  property                                                 37.1      13.2 
 Proceeds from sale of joint venture                          -       4.4 
 Interest received                                          8.1      11.2 
 Purchase of corporate bonds                             (70.9)   (110.6) 
 Proceeds from sale of corporate 
  bonds                                                    82.9     172.9 
 Purchase of equity investments                           (5.1)     (3.3) 
 Dividends received from equity 
  investments                                               0.7       0.4 
 Proceeds from sale of equity investments                   3.3       3.1 
 Purchase of interests in associate 
  undertakings                                                -     (0.3) 
 Loans to associate undertakings                          (1.0)     (1.2) 
 Distributions received from associate 
  undertakings                                              0.8       0.3 
 Costs on foreign currency transactions                   (0.9)     (1.7) 
 Costs of corporate disposals                                 -     (0.3) 
 Purchases of property, plant and 
  equipment                                              (11.3)     (0.3) 
----------------------------------------------  ------  -------  -------- 
 Net cash outflow from investing 
  activities                                              (2.8)   (111.8) 
----------------------------------------------  ------  -------  -------- 
 
 Cash flows from financing activities 
 Proceeds from issue of shares                                -      20.4 
 Purchase of own shares                                  (15.5)    (13.7) 
 New loans                                                 32.6     207.4 
 Issue costs of new loans                                 (0.2)     (1.9) 
 Repayment of loans                                      (65.0)   (103.4) 
 Purchase or cancellation of derivative 
  financial instruments                                       -     (0.3) 
----------------------------------------------  ------  -------  -------- 
 Net cash (outflow)/inflow from 
  financing activities                                   (48.1)     108.5 
----------------------------------------------  ------  -------  -------- 
 
 Cash flow element of net (decrease)/increase 
  in cash and cash equivalents                           (24.5)      32.5 
 Foreign exchange loss                                    (5.1)     (0.3) 
----------------------------------------------  ------  -------  -------- 
 Net (decrease)/increase in cash 
  and cash equivalents                                   (29.6)      32.2 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  beginning of the year                                   129.8      97.6 
----------------------------------------------  ------  -------  -------- 
 Cash and cash equivalents at the 
  end of the year                                   14    100.2     129.8 
----------------------------------------------  ------  -------  -------- 
 

Notes to the group financial statements

31 December 2014

   1        General Information 

CLS Holdings plc (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (together "CLS Holdings" or the "Group") is an investment property group which is principally involved in the investment, management and development of commercial properties, and in other investments. The Group's principal operations are carried out in the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Sweden.

The Company is registered in the UK, registration number 2714781, with its registered address at 86 Bondway, London, SW8 1SF. The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The annual financial report (produced in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules) can be found on the Company's website www.clsholdings.com. The 2014 Annual Report and Accounts will be posted to shareholders on 13 March 2015 and will also be available on the Company's website.

The financial information contained in this announcement has been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out in the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 December 2014. Whilst the financial information included in this announcement has been computed in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), as adopted by the European Union, this announcement does not itself contain sufficient information to comply with IFRS. The financial information does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2014 or 2013, but is derived from those accounts. Those accounts give a balanced, true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit and loss of the Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation taken as a whole. Statutory accounts for 2013 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2014 will be delivered following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The auditors have reported on those accounts and the auditors' reports on both the 2013 and 2014 accounts were unqualified; did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis; and did not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) Companies Act 2006 or preceding legislation.

Going Concern

The Group's business activities, and the factors likely to affect its future development and performance, are set out in the Strategic Review. The financial position of the Group, its liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the Strategic Review.

The Directors regularly stress-test the business model to ensure that the Group has adequate working capital and have reviewed the current and projected financial positions of the Group, taking into account the repayment profile of the Group's loan portfolio, and making reasonable assumptions about future trading performance. The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future and, therefore, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the annual report and accounts.

   2        Segment information 

The Group has two operating divisions - Investment Property and Other Investments. Other Investments comprise corporate bonds, shares in Catena AB, Bulgarian Land Development Plc, First Camp Sverige Holding AB and Cood Investments AB, and other small corporate investments. The Group manages the Investment Property division on a geographical basis due to its size and geographical diversity. Consequently, the Group's principal operating segments are:

 
 Investment          London 
  Property - 
                     Rest of United Kingdom 
                     France 
                     Germany 
                     Sweden 
 Other Investments 
 

There are no transactions between the operating segments.

The Group's results for the year ended 31 December 2013 by operating segment were as follows:

 
                                      Investment Property 
                          ------------------------------------------- 
                                     Rest 
                                       of                                      Other 
                           London      UK   France   Germany   Sweden    Investments    Total 
                             GBPm    GBPm     GBPm      GBPm     GBPm           GBPm     GBPm 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Rental income               32.4    13.3     17.1      15.3      6.3              -     84.4 
 Other property-related 
  income                      1.0       -      0.3         -        -            0.7      2.0 
 Service charge 
  income                      4.9     0.2      4.8       3.0      0.3              -     13.2 
 Service charges 
  and similar 
  expenses                  (6.6)   (0.2)    (5.2)     (3.4)    (2.0)              -   (17.4) 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Net rental income           31.7    13.3     17.0      14.9      4.6            0.7     82.2 
 
 Administration 
  expenses                  (3.2)   (0.2)    (1.6)     (1.2)    (0.2)          (0.8)    (7.2) 
 Other expenses             (2.0)   (0.4)    (1.0)     (1.1)    (0.1)          (0.3)    (4.9) 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Group revenue 
  less costs                 26.5    12.7     14.4      12.6      4.3          (0.4)     70.1 
 
 Profit on sale 
  of investment 
  property                    6.8       -      1.9         -        -              -      8.7 
 Net movements 
  on revaluation 
  of investment 
  properties                185.1   (0.4)      3.4       7.0    (9.1)              -    186.0 
 Fair value gain 
  on reclassifying 
  an amount as 
  a subsidiary                  -       -        -         -        -            0.2      0.2 
 Gain arising 
  from acquisition              -       -        -         -        -            1.2      1.2 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Segment operating 
  profit/(loss)             218.4    12.3     19.7      19.6    (4.8)            1.0    266.2 
 
 Finance income                 -       -        -         -        -            7.7      7.7 
 Finance costs             (10.1)   (3.3)    (3.0)     (2.4)    (0.9)          (8.4)   (28.1) 
 Share of loss 
  of associates 
  after tax                     -       -        -         -        -          (2.6)    (2.6) 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Segment profit/(loss) 
  before tax                208.3     9.0     16.7      17.2    (5.7)          (2.3)    243.2 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  ------------- 
 Central administration 
  expenses                                                                              (6.4) 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Profit before 
  tax                                                                                   236.8 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 

The Group's results for the year ended 31 December 2013 by operating segment were as follows:

 
                                      Investment Property 
                          ------------------------------------------- 
                                     Rest 
                                       of                                      Other 
                           London      UK   France   Germany   Sweden    Investments    Total 
                             GBPm    GBPm     GBPm      GBPm     GBPm           GBPm     GBPm 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Rental income               30.8     3.9     19.2      15.5      6.6              -     76.0 
 Other property-related 
  income                      0.7       -      0.4       0.1        -              -      1.2 
 Service charge 
  income                      5.1       -      5.4       3.1      0.4              -     14.0 
 Service charges 
  and similar 
  expenses                  (6.5)   (0.1)    (5.7)     (3.4)    (2.4)              -   (18.1) 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Net rental income           30.1     3.8     19.3      15.3      4.6              -     73.1 
 
 Administration 
  expenses                  (3.0)       -    (1.4)     (1.3)    (0.6)          (0.5)    (6.8) 
 Other expenses             (1.5)   (0.1)    (0.6)     (1.1)    (0.2)              -    (3.5) 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Group revenue 
  less costs                 25.6     3.7     17.3      12.9      3.8          (0.5)     62.8 
 
 Profit on sale 
  of investment 
  property                    4.5       -        -         -        -              -      4.5 
 Net movements 
  on revaluation 
  of investment 
  properties                 15.3   (4.3)    (9.2)     (0.6)    (1.4)              -    (0.2) 
 Profit on sale 
  of joint venture            1.8       -        -         -        -              -      1.8 
 Net gain on 
  sale of corporate 
  bonds and other 
  financial investments         -       -        -         -        -           14.1     14.1 
 Fair value gain 
  on reclassification 
  of an associate 
  as an investment              -       -        -         -        -           14.9     14.9 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Segment operating 
  profit/(loss)              47.2   (0.6)      8.1      12.3      2.4           28.5     97.9 
 
 Finance income                 -       -        -         -        -            7.6      7.6 
 Finance costs              (9.1)   (0.5)    (3.2)     (2.9)    (0.8)          (7.2)   (23.7) 
 Share of loss 
  of associates 
  after tax                     -       -        -         -        -          (4.8)    (4.8) 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Segment profit/(loss) 
  before tax                 38.1   (1.1)      4.9       9.4      1.6           24.1     77.0 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  ------------- 
 Central administration 
  expenses                                                                              (5.6) 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 Profit before 
  tax                                                                                    71.4 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------------  ------- 
 

Other segment information:

 
                                                             Capital 
                           Assets          Liabilities      expenditure 
                     ------------------  --------------  --------------- 
                         2014      2013    2014    2013     2014    2013 
                         GBPm      GBPm    GBPm    GBPm     GBPm    GBPm 
-------------------  --------  --------  ------  ------  -------  ------ 
 Investment 
  Property 
 London                 717.9     542.2   402.4   374.9     45.5    78.9 
 Rest of UK             100.2      98.7    81.8    82.2        -   101.5 
 France                 229.8     245.1   184.7   206.2      2.3     4.7 
 Germany                239.5     220.3   160.2   147.7     29.4    13.2 
 Sweden                  49.7      67.5    36.6    44.5      3.0     2.1 
 Other Investments      251.7     226.0    65.5    63.4     30.1       - 
-------------------  --------  --------  ------  ------  -------  ------ 
                      1,588.8   1,399.8   931.3   918.9    110.3   200.4 
-------------------  --------  --------  ------  ------  -------  ------ 
 

Included within the assets of other investments are investments in associates of GBP1.5 million (2013: GBP9.1 million).

   3        FINANCE INCOME 
 
 
                          2014    2013 
                          GBPm    GBPm 
----------------------  ------  ------ 
 Interest income           7.0     7.2 
 Other finance income      0.7     0.4 
----------------------  ------  ------ 
                           7.7     7.6 
----------------------  ------  ------ 
 
   4        FINANCE COSTS 
 
                                              2014    2013 
                                              GBPm    GBPm 
------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Interest expense 
 Bank loans                                   13.3    13.9 
 Debenture loan                                3.2     3.3 
 Zero coupon note                              1.3     1.4 
 Secured notes                                 3.2     0.3 
 Unsecured bonds                               4.8     5.1 
 Amortisation of loan issue costs              1.9     2.1 
------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Total interest costs                         27.7    26.1 
 Less interest capitalised on development 
  projects                                   (2.9)   (0.9) 
------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                              24.8    25.2 
 Loss on partial redemption of zero            1.3       - 
  coupon note 
 Movement in fair value of derivative 
  financial instruments 
 Interest rate swaps: transactions 
  not qualifying as hedges                     0.5   (3.4) 
 Interest rate caps: transactions 
  not qualifying as hedges                     0.4     0.1 
 Foreign exchange variances                    1.1     1.8 
------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                              28.1    23.7 
------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
   5        taxation 
 
                                   2014    2013 
                                   GBPm    GBPm 
-------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Current tax charge                 7.2     5.3 
 Deferred tax charge (note 16)     34.8     2.9 
-------------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                   42.0     8.2 
-------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

A deferred tax charge of GBP1.3 million (2013: credit of GBP3.1 million) was recognised directly in equity (note 16).

The charge for the year differs from the theoretical amount which would arise using the weighted average tax rate applicable to profits of Group companies as follows:

 
                                                 2014    2013 
                                                 GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Profit before tax                              236.8    71.4 
---------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
 Tax calculated at domestic tax rates 
  applicable to profits in the respective 
  countries                                      52.3    16.5 
 Expenses not deductible for tax purposes         0.6     0.1 
 Tax effect of unrecognised losses/(profits) 
  in associates and joint ventures                0.3   (0.7) 
 Tax effect of fair value movements               0.9       - 
  on investments 
 Adjustment in respect of indexation 
  allowance on United Kingdom properties        (3.5)   (4.2) 
 Non-taxable income                             (2.8)   (2.4) 
 Gain arising from acquisition                  (0.3)       - 
 Change in tax rate                                 -   (1.6) 
 Deferred tax on losses (recognised)/not 
  recognised                                    (3.3)     0.9 
 Deferred tax liability released on             (0.8)       - 
  disposals 
 Other deferred tax adjustments                 (0.2)   (0.1) 
 Adjustment in respect of prior periods         (1.2)   (0.3) 
---------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Tax charge for the year                         42.0     8.2 
---------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

The weighted average applicable tax rate of 22.1% (2013: 23.1%) was derived by applying to their relevant profits and losses the rates in the jurisdictions in which the Group operated.

   6        EARNINGS PER SHARE 

Management has chosen to disclose the European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) measure of earnings per share which has been provided to give relevant information to investors on the long-term performance of the Group's underlying property investment business. The EPRA measure excludes items which are non-recurring in nature such as profits (net of related tax) on sale of investment properties and of other non-current investments, and items which have no impact to earnings over their life, such as the change in fair value of derivative financial instruments and the net movement on revaluation of investment properties, and the related deferred taxation on these items.

 
                                              2014     2013 
 Earnings                                     GBPm     GBPm 
----------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 Profit for the year                         194.9     63.2 
 Net movements on revaluation 
  of investment properties                 (186.0)      0.2 
 Group's share of gain arising               (1.2)        - 
  from acquisition 
 Profit on sale of investment 
  property                                   (8.7)    (4.5) 
 Impairment of carrying value 
  of associates                                2.2      4.0 
 Change in fair value of derivative 
  financial instruments                        0.9    (3.3) 
 Fair value gain on reclassification         (0.2)        - 
  of an associate as a subsidiary 
 Fair value gain on reclassification 
  of an associate as an investment               -   (14.9) 
 Profit on sale of joint venture                 -    (1.8) 
 Net (gain)/loss on sale of corporate 
  bonds and other financial investments          -   (14.1) 
 Deferred tax relating to the 
  above adjustments                           31.7    (0.3) 
----------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 EPRA earnings                                33.6     28.5 
----------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
 
 
 Weighted average number of ordinary          2014         2013 
  shares                                    Number       Number 
-------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Weighted average number of ordinary 
  shares in circulation                 43,410,928   43,026,586 
 Dilutive share options                          -       59,992 
-------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Diluted weighted average number 
  of ordinary shares                    43,410,928   43,086,578 
-------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 
  Earnings per Share      2014     2013 
                         Pence    Pence 
---------------------  -------  ------- 
 Basic                   449.0    146.9 
 Diluted                 449.0    146.7 
 EPRA                     77.4     66.2 
---------------------  -------  ------- 
 

300,000 share options were granted on 11 March 2010 at an exercise price of 470 pence, and exercised on 17 May 2013.

   7        NET ASSETS PER SHARE 

Management has chosen to disclose the two European Public Real Estate Association (EPRA) measures of net assets per share: EPRA net assets per share and EPRA triple net assets per share. The EPRA net assets per share measure highlights the fair value of equity on a long-term basis, and so excludes items which have no impact on the Group in the long term, such as fair value movements of derivative financial instruments and deferred tax on the fair value of investment properties. The EPRA triple net assets per share measure discloses net assets per share on a true fair value basis: all balance sheet items are included at their fair value in arriving at this measure, including deferred tax, fixed rate loan liabilities and any other balance sheet items not reported at fair value.

 
                                         2014     2013 
 Net assets                              GBPm     GBPm 
------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 Basic net assets attributable to 
  owners of the Company                 652.9    480.9 
 Adjustment to increase fixed rate 
  debt to fair value, net of tax       (29.2)   (21.1) 
 Goodwill as a result of deferred 
  tax                                   (1.1)    (1.1) 
------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 EPRA triple net assets                 622.6    458.7 
 Deferred tax on property and other 
  non-current assets                    102.4     72.5 
 Fair value of derivative financial 
  instruments                             7.3      5.2 
 Adjustment to decrease fixed rate 
  debt to book value, net of tax         29.2     21.1 
------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 EPRA net assets                        761.5    557.5 
------------------------------------  -------  ------- 
 
 
                                                   2014         2013 
 Number of ordinary shares                       Number       Number 
------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Number of ordinary shares in circulation    42,924,061   43,953,790 
 Dilutive share options                               -            - 
------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 Diluted number of ordinary shares           42,924,061   43,953,790 
------------------------------------------  -----------  ----------- 
 
 
                            2014      2013 
 Net Assets Per Share      Pence     Pence 
----------------------  --------  -------- 
 Basic                   1,521.1   1,094.1 
 Diluted                 1,521.1   1,094.1 
 EPRA                    1,774.1   1,268.4 
 EPRA triple net         1,450.5   1,043.6 
----------------------  --------  -------- 
 
   8        Investment properties 
 
                                     Rest 
                                       of 
                           London      UK   France   Germany   Sweden     Total 
                             GBPm    GBPm     GBPm      GBPm     GBPm      GBPm 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------- 
 At 1 January 2014          519.9    97.9    240.6     214.4     60.1   1,132.9 
 Acquisitions                 2.3       -        -      27.4      1.9      31.6 
 Capital expenditure         42.8       -      2.3       2.0      1.1      48.2 
 Disposals                 (22.4)       -    (6.2)         -        -    (28.6) 
 Transfer to property, 
  plant and equipment      (22.7)       -        -         -        -    (22.7) 
 Net movement on 
  revaluation of 
  investment properties     185.1   (0.4)      3.4       7.0    (9.1)     186.0 
 Rent-free period 
  debtor adjustments            -     0.1      0.6     (0.1)    (0.1)       0.5 
 Exchange rate 
  variances                     -       -   (15.6)    (15.2)    (7.0)    (37.8) 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------- 
 At 31 December 
  2014                      705.0    97.6    225.1     235.5     46.9   1,310.1 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------- 
 
 
                                     Rest 
                                       of 
                           London      UK   France   Germany   Sweden     Total 
                             GBPm    GBPm     GBPm      GBPm     GBPm      GBPm 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------- 
 At 1 January 2013          436.8     0.7    239.6     197.4     60.0     934.5 
 Acquisitions                52.7   100.5        -      12.1        -     165.3 
 Capital expenditure         26.9       -      4.7       1.1      2.1      34.8 
 Disposals                 (11.3)       -        -         -        -    (11.3) 
 Net movement on 
  revaluation of 
  investment properties      14.3   (3.3)    (9.2)     (0.6)    (1.4)     (0.2) 
 Rent-free period 
  debtor adjustments          0.5       -        -       0.1    (0.1)       0.5 
 Exchange rate 
  variances                     -       -      5.5       4.3    (0.5)       9.3 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------- 
 At 31 December 
  2013                      519.9    97.9    240.6     214.4     60.1   1,132.9 
------------------------  -------  ------  -------  --------  -------  -------- 
 

The investment properties (and the hotel and the owner-occupied property detailed in note 9) were revalued at 31 December 2014 to their fair value. Valuations were based on current prices in an active market for all properties. The property valuations were carried out by external, professionally qualified valuers as follows:

London: DTZ; Knight Frank (2013: Lambert Smith Hampton; Knight Frank)

Rest of UK: DTZ (2013: Savills)

France: Jones Lang LaSalle

Germany: Colliers International

Sweden: CB Richard Ellis

Property valuations are complex and require a degree of judgements and are based on data which is not publicly available. Consistent with EPRA guidance, we have classified the valuations of our property portfolio as level 3 as defined by IFRS 13. In addition to note 3(i), inputs into the valuations include equivalent yields and rental income and are described as 'unobservable' as per IFRS 13. These inputs are analysed by segment in the property portfolio information. All other factors remaining constant, an increase in rental income would increase valuations, whilst an increase in equivalent nominal yield would result in a fall in value and vice versa.

Investment properties included leasehold properties with a carrying amount of GBP49.6 million (2013: GBP57.4 million).

Interest capitalised within capital expenditure in the year amounted to GBP2.9 million (2013: GBP0.9 million).

Where the Group leases out its investment property under operating leases the duration is typically three years or more. No contingent rents have been recognised in either the current or the comparative year.

Substantially all investment properties (and the owner-occupied property detailed in note 9) are secured against debt.

In 2010 the Group purchased a property in London for GBP1.8 million. Under the terms of the purchase agreement, should the site be developed additional consideration may become due to the vendor. The maximum liability in respect of this is estimated to be GBP0.5 million. At the balance sheet date the fair value of the liability was GBPnil (2013: GBPnil).

   9        Property, plant and equipment 
 
                                           Land      Owner-    Fixtures 
                                            and    occupied         and 
                             Hotel    buildings    property    fittings   Total 
                              GBPm         GBPm        GBPm        GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
 Cost or valuation 
 At 1 January 2013               -            -         2.6         1.3     3.9 
 Additions                       -            -           -         0.3     0.3 
 Disposals                       -            -           -       (0.1)   (0.1) 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
 At 31 December 2013             -            -         2.6         1.5     4.1 
 
 Additions                       -         10.9           -         0.4    11.3 
 Acquired during the year        -         18.0           -         1.2    19.2 
 Transfer from investment 
  properties                  21.3            -           -         1.4    22.7 
 Exchange rate variances         -        (1.8)           -           -   (1.8) 
 Revaluation                     -          5.0         1.5           -     6.5 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
 At 31 December 2014          21.3         32.1         4.1         4.5    62.0 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
 
 Comprising: 
 At cost                         -            -           -         4.5     4.5 
 At valuation 31 December 
  2014                        21.3         32.1         4.1           -    57.5 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
                              21.3         32.1         4.1         4.5    62.0 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
 
 Accumulated depreciation 
  and impairment 
 At 1 January 2013               -            -       (0.2)       (0.9)   (1.1) 
 Depreciation charge             -            -           -       (0.3)   (0.3) 
 Eliminated on disposals         -            -           -         0.1     0.1 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
 At 31 December 2013             -            -       (0.2)       (1.1)   (1.3) 
 
 Depreciation charge             -            -           -       (0.3)   (0.3) 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
 At 31 December 2014             -            -       (0.2)       (1.4)   (1.6) 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
 
 Net book value 
 At 31 December 2014          21.3         32.1         3.9         3.1    60.4 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
 
 At 31 December 2013             -            -         2.4         0.4     2.8 
--------------------------  ------  -----------  ----------  ----------  ------ 
 

A hotel and an owner-occupied property were revalued at 31 December 2014 based on the external valuation performed by DTZ and Knight Frank, respectively, as detailed in note 8.

The land and buildings were revalued at 31 December 2014 based on an external valuation performed by Forum Fastighetsekonomi AB.

   10      goodwill 
 
                                     2014    2013 
                                     GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Cost 
 At 1 January and at 31 December      1.1     1.1 
 Amortisation 
 At 1 January and 31 December           -       - 
---------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Net book value 
 At 31 December                       1.1     1.1 
---------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

Goodwill comprised GBP0.8 million (2013: GBP0.8 million) on the acquisition of a French property portfolio in 2004 and GBP0.3 million (2013: GBP0.3 million) on a German property acquisition in 2005.

Impairment review 2014 and 2013

Goodwill was reviewed for impairment at 31 December 2014 and at 31 December 2013 using the key assumptions set out below. No adjustment for impairment was required.

Key assumptions:

Unamortised goodwill at 31 December 2014 and at 31 December 2013 related to contingent deferred tax arising on acquisitions of corporate entities for which an equal deferred tax liability was recognised in the balance sheet. Management have reviewed the sensitivity to a fall in property values of each cash-generating unit. A fall of 10% would result in a potential impairment of goodwill of up to GBP0.1 million (2013: GBP0.1 million).

   11      Investments in associates 
 
 
                                  Net assets   Goodwill   Impairment   Total 
                                        GBPm       GBPm         GBPm    GBPm 
-----------------------------  -------------  ---------  -----------  ------ 
 At 1 January 2014                      15.6        1.5        (8.0)     9.1 
 Share of loss of associates 
  after tax                            (0.4)          -        (2.2)   (2.6) 
 Dividends received                    (0.8)          -            -   (0.8) 
 Disposal                              (6.8)          -          3.5   (3.3) 
 Exchange rate differences             (1.4)      (0.2)          0.7   (0.9) 
-----------------------------  -------------  ---------  -----------  ------ 
 At 31 December 2014                     6.2        1.3        (6.0)     1.5 
-----------------------------  -------------  ---------  -----------  ------ 
 
 
 
                                Net assets   Goodwill   Impairment    Total 
                                      GBPm       GBPm         GBPm     GBPm 
-----------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ------- 
 At 1 January 2013                    25.5        7.8            -     33.3 
 Additions                             5.6      (5.3)            -      0.3 
 Share of (loss)/profit 
  of associates after 
  tax                                (0.8)        4.2        (8.2)    (4.8) 
 Dividends received                  (0.3)          -            -    (0.3) 
 Reclassification of 
  associate as an investment        (14.8)      (5.4)            -   (20.2) 
 Exchange rate differences             0.4        0.2          0.2      0.8 
-----------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ------- 
 At 31 December 2013                  15.6        1.5        (8.0)      9.1 
-----------------------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  ------- 
 

The Group's interests in its principal associates were as follows:

 
                                      Bulgarian 
                                           Land 
                                    Development         Other 
                                            Plc    associates   Total 
 At 31 December 2014                       GBPm          GBPm    GBPm 
-------------------------------   -------------  ------------  ------ 
 Interest held in ordinary 
  share capital 
 Revenues                                   0.1           7.0     7.1 
--------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 
 Share of loss of associates 
  after tax, before impairment            (0.2)         (0.2)   (0.4) 
 Impairment                               (2.2)             -   (2.2) 
--------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 Share of loss of associates 
  after tax                               (2.4)         (0.2)   (2.6) 
--------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 
 Assets                                     6.2           0.8     7.0 
 Liabilities                              (0.2)         (0.6)   (0.8) 
--------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 Net assets                                 6.0           0.2     6.2 
 Goodwill                                     -           1.3     1.3 
 Impairment                               (6.0)             -   (6.0) 
--------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 Investments in associates                    -           1.5     1.5 
--------------------------------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 
 
 
                                          Bulgarian 
                                               Land 
                              Catena    Development         Other 
                                  AB            Plc    associates   Total 
 At 31 December 2013            GBPm           GBPm          GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------------  -------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 Interest held in ordinary 
  share capital                13.8%          48.3%       various 
 Revenues                        0.6            0.2           6.4     7.2 
---------------------------  -------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 
 Share of profit/(loss) 
  of associates after 
  tax, before impairment         1.0          (0.6)         (1.2)   (0.8) 
 Impairment                        -          (4.0)             -   (4.0) 
---------------------------  -------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 Share of profit/(loss) 
  of associates after 
  tax                            1.0          (4.6)         (1.2)   (4.8) 
---------------------------  -------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 
 Assets                            -            7.8          17.6    25.4 
 Liabilities                       -          (0.4)         (9.4)   (9.8) 
---------------------------  -------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 Net assets                        -            7.4           8.2    15.6 
 Goodwill                          -              -           1.5     1.5 
 Impairment                        -          (4.0)         (4.0)   (8.0) 
---------------------------  -------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 Investments in associates         -            3.4           5.7     9.1 
---------------------------  -------  -------------  ------------  ------ 
 
 

Catena AB

At 1 January 2013 the Group had a 29.9% interest in Catena AB ("Catena"), a listed Swedish property company. On 30 September 2013, Catena issued new shares in payment for an acquisition, reducing the Group's interest in Catena to 13.8%. Consequently, the investment in Catena was reclassified as an available-for-sale financial investment and held at fair value by reference to Catena's share price. Henry Klotz, Executive Vice Chairman of the Company, is the Non-Executive Chairman of Catena AB.

Bulgarian Land Development Plc

At 31 December 2014 the Group had a 48.3% (2013: 48.3%) interest in Bulgarian Land Development Plc ("BLD"), an unlisted developer of residential and commercial real estate in Bulgaria. Henry Klotz, Executive Vice Chairman of the Company, is the Non-Executive Chairman of BLD.

Other associates

On 15 August 2014, the Group increased to 58.0% (2013: 44.2%) its interest in Cood Investments AB ("Cood"), an unlisted residential property company specialising in vacation sites in Sweden. Consequently, the investment in Cood was reclassified as a subsidiary. Henry Klotz, Executive Vice Chairman of the Company, is a non-executive director of Cood.

At 31 December 2014 the Group had a 20.0% (2013: 20.0%) interest in Nyheter 24, an unlisted Swedish on-line news and media business.

Impairment

2014

An impairment review was carried out to assess the Group's carrying value of BLD based upon a review of BLD's audited net assets, which were prepared under IFRS, and of its cash flow forecasts. On the basis of this review and following the receipt of a dividend of GBP0.8 million, an impairment of GBP2.2 million was made against the carrying value of the Group's interest in BLD at 31 December 2014.

The fair value of Nyheter 24 was determined on acquisition to be GBP1.9 million and was based upon detailed profit forecasts. As the progress to date has not been materially dissimilar from these forecasts, management considered the carrying value of Nyheter 24 not to be impaired at 31 December 2014.

2013

An impairment review was carried out to assess the Group's carrying value of BLD based upon a review of BLD's audited net assets, which were prepared under IFRS, and of its cash flow forecasts. On the basis of this review an impairment of GBP4.0 million was made against the carrying value of the Group's interest in BLD at 31 December 2013.

The consideration for the acquisition of the interest in Cood in 2013 was GBP0.3 million and on assessing the fair value of the net assets acquired, negative goodwill of GBP5.3 million arose. As required under IAS 28, the negative goodwill was credited to the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income in 2013. As part of this fair value review, a review of the goodwill on the original interest acquired in 2012 was carried out and an impairment of GBP1.1 million made to the Group Statement of Comprehensive Income in 2013. At 31 December 2013, the fair value of the Group's interest in Cood was assessed based on Cood's results to date, net assets, and profit forecasts. On the basis of this review an impairment of GBP4.2 million was made against the carrying value of the Group's interest in Cood at 31 December 2013.

The fair value of Nyheter 24 was determined on acquisition to be GBP1.9 million and was based upon detailed forward forecasts. As the progress to date has not been materially dissimilar from these forecasts, management considered the carrying value of Nyheter 24 not to be impaired at 31 December 2013.

   12      Other Financial investments 
 
                                                   Destination 
                           Investment               of             2014    2013 
                            type                    Investment     GBPm    GBPm 
------------------------  ----------------------  -------------  ------  ------ 
 Available-for-sale 
  financial investments 
 carried at                Listed corporate 
  fair value                bonds                  UK              19.1    28.4 
   Eurozone                                                         3.9    10.8 
   Other                                                           38.8    30.2 
                                                                 ------  ------ 
                                                                   61.8    69.4 
  Listed equity 
   securities             UK                                        0.2     0.2 
   Sweden                                                          34.6    34.1 
   Other                                                              -     0.3 
  Unlisted investments    Sweden                                    3.3     0.3 
 ----------------------  --------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                                                   99.9   104.3 
  -------------------------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

The movement of other financial investments, analysed based on the methods used to measure their fair value, was as follows:

 
                                        Level         Level        Level 
                                            1             2            3 
                                       Quoted    Observable        Other 
                                       market        market    valuation 
                                       prices          data     methods*    Total 
                                         GBPm          GBPm         GBPm     GBPm 
-----------------------------------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------- 
 At 1 January 2014                       34.6          69.4          0.3    104.3 
 Acquisitions arising 
  from business combinations                -             -          3.0      3.0 
 Additions                                2.5          70.9          2.6     76.0 
 Disposals                              (0.6)        (80.9)        (2.7)   (84.2) 
 Fair value movements 
  recognised in reserves 
  on available-for-sale 
  assets                                  2.6           0.6            -      3.2 
 Fair value movements 
  recognised in profit 
  before tax on available-for-sale 
  assets                                  0.1             -          0.1      0.2 
 Exchange rate variations               (4.4)           1.8            -    (2.6) 
-----------------------------------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------- 
 At 31 December 2014                     34.8          61.8          3.3     99.9 
-----------------------------------  --------  ------------  -----------  ------- 
 
 
                                        Level         Level        Level 
                                            1             2            3 
                                       Quoted    Observable        Other 
                                       market        market    valuation 
                                       prices          data     methods*     Total 
                                         GBPm          GBPm         GBPm      GBPm 
-----------------------------------  --------  ------------  -----------  -------- 
 At 1 January 2013                        2.3         127.3          0.3     129.9 
 Additions                               37.7         110.6            -     148.3 
 Disposals                              (4.1)       (156.5)            -   (160.6) 
 Fair value movements 
  recognised in reserves 
  on available-for-sale 
  assets                                (1.4)             -            -     (1.4) 
 Fair value movements 
  recognised in profit 
  before tax on available-for-sale 
  assets                                  0.9        (12.1)            -    (11.2) 
 Loss on permanent impairment               -         (0.3)            -     (0.3) 
 Exchange rate variations               (0.8)           0.4            -     (0.4) 
-----------------------------------  --------  ------------  -----------  -------- 
 At 31 December 2013                     34.6          69.4          0.3     104.3 
-----------------------------------  --------  ------------  -----------  -------- 
 

* Unlisted equity shares valued using multiples from comparable listed organisations.

Corporate Bond Portfolio

At 31 December 2013

 
                                         Travel 
                                            and         Food 
 Sector         Banking    Insurance    tourism    producers           Other      Total 
---------  ------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  --------------  --------- 
 Value         GBP30.3m      GBP1.8m    GBP5.7m      GBP1.6m        GBP22.4m   GBP61.8m 
 Running 
  yield            7.6%         6.5%       6.6%         9.0%            7.2%       7.4% 
---------  ------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  --------------  --------- 
 Issuers            RBS         Brit        SAS       Findus            Dell 
                           Insurance 
                   HSBC                   Stena                         Enel 
                 Lloyds                 British                     Seadrill 
                                        Airways 
               Investec                                             T-Mobile 
               Barclays                                                Stora 
                                                                        Enso 
              Unicredit                                          Centurylink 
               Deutsche                                           Transocean 
               SNS Bank                                        ArcelorMittal 
            Commerzbank                                               Corral 
                                                                      Finans 
                 Credit                                              Telecom 
               Agricole                                               Italia 
                Bank of 
                Ireland 
                Societe 
               Generale 
---------  ------------  -----------  ---------  -----------  --------------  --------- 
 
   13      Trade and other receivables 
 
                       2014    2013 
                       GBPm    GBPm 
-------------------  ------  ------ 
 Current 
 Trade receivables      4.6     1.3 
 Prepayments            1.7     1.2 
 Accrued income         1.5     2.7 
 Other debtors          3.0     7.5 
-------------------  ------  ------ 
                       10.8    12.7 
-------------------  ------  ------ 
 

There was no concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables as the Group had a large number of customers spread across the countries in which it operated.

There were no material trade and other receivables classified as past due but not impaired (2013: none). No trade and other receivables were interest-bearing.

Included within other debtors is GBP1.1 million (2013: GBP6.0 million) due after more than one year.

   14      Cash and cash equivalents 
 
                              2014    2013 
                              GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Cash at bank and in hand     95.2   129.8 
 Short-term bank deposits      5.0       - 
--------------------------  ------  ------ 
                             100.2   129.8 
--------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

At 31 December 2014, Group cash at bank and in hand included GBP11.0 million (2013: GBP11.0 million) which was restricted by a third-party charge.

Cash and short-term deposits are invested at floating rates of interest based on relevant national LIBID and base rates or equivalents in the UK, France, Germany and Sweden.

The cash and cash equivalents currency profile was as follows:

 
                            Cash 
                         at bank 
                          and in   Short-term 
                            hand     Deposits   Total 
 At 31 December 2014        GBPm         GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------  ---------  -----------  ------ 
 Sterling                   59.5          5.0    64.5 
 Euro                       16.8            -    16.8 
 Swedish Krona              17.1            -    17.1 
 Other                       1.8            -     1.8 
---------------------  ---------  -----------  ------ 
                            95.2          5.0   100.2 
---------------------  ---------  -----------  ------ 
 
 
                              Cash 
                           at bank 
                               and 
                           in hand 
 At 31 December 2013          GBPm 
---------------------    --------- 
 Sterling                    106.7 
 Euro                          9.5 
 Swedish Krona                13.6 
-----------------------  --------- 
                             129.8 
  ---------------------  --------- 
 
   15      Trade and other payables 
 
                                     2014    2013 
                                     GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Current 
 Trade payables                       1.6     6.1 
 Social security and other taxes      2.1     1.3 
 Other payables                      34.1     7.0 
 Accruals                            15.3    14.5 
 Deferred income                     15.0    11.4 
---------------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                     68.1    40.3 
---------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
   16      Deferred tax 
 
                                 2014    2013 
                                 GBPm    GBPm 
-----------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Deferred tax assets: 
 - after more than 12 months    (4.8)   (6.4) 
 Deferred tax liabilities: 
 - after more than 12 months    105.9    74.4 
-----------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                101.1    68.0 
-----------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

The movement in deferred tax was as follows:

 
                                               2014    2013 
                                               GBPm    GBPm 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 At 1 January                                  68.0    69.1 
 Charged in arriving at profit after 
  tax                                          34.8     2.9 
 Charged/(credited) to other comprehensive 
  income                                        1.3   (3.1) 
 Deferred tax on acquisition                    1.3   (2.1) 
 Exchange rate variances                      (4.3)     1.2 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 At 31 December                               101.1    68.0 
-------------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

The movement in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the year, without taking into consideration the offsetting of balances within the same tax jurisdiction, was as follows:

 
                                       Tax 
                                    losses   Other   Total 
 Deferred tax assets                  GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------------------  --------  ------  ------ 
 At 1 January 2014                   (4.5)   (1.9)   (6.4) 
 Charged/(credited) in arriving 
  at profit after tax                  3.1   (1.7)     1.4 
 Charged to other comprehensive 
  income                                 -     0.1     0.1 
 Exchange rate variances               0.1       -     0.1 
--------------------------------  --------  ------  ------ 
 At 31 December 2014                 (1.3)   (3.5)   (4.8) 
--------------------------------  --------  ------  ------ 
 
 
 
                                        Tax 
                                     losses   Other   Total 
 Deferred tax assets                   GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------------------  --------  ------  ------ 
 At 1 January 2013                    (5.5)   (3.2)   (8.7) 
 Charged in arriving at profit 
  after tax                             3.1     1.4     4.5 
 Credited to other comprehensive 
  income                                  -   (0.1)   (0.1) 
 Deferred tax on acquisition          (2.1)       -   (2.1) 
---------------------------------  --------  ------  ------ 
 At 31 December 2013                  (4.5)   (1.9)   (6.4) 
---------------------------------  --------  ------  ------ 
 
 
                                                   Fair value 
                                                  adjustments 
                                                           to 
                                    UK capital     investment 
                                    allowances     properties   Other   Total 
 Deferred tax liabilities                 GBPm           GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------  ------ 
 At 1 January 2014                         8.0           65.5     0.9    74.4 
 Charged in arriving 
  at profit after tax                      2.6           30.5     0.3    33.4 
 Charged to other comprehensive 
  income                                     -              -     1.2     1.2 
 Deferred tax on acquisition                 -              -     1.3     1.3 
 Exchange rate variances                     -          (4.2)   (0.2)   (4.4) 
--------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------  ------ 
 At 31 December 2014                      10.6           91.8     3.5   105.9 
--------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------  ------ 
 
 
                                                          Fair 
                                                         value 
                                                   adjustments 
                                                            to 
                                     UK capital     investment 
                                     allowances     properties   Other   Total 
 Deferred tax liabilities                  GBPm           GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------  ------ 
 At 1 January 2013                          9.4           64.7     3.7    77.8 
 (Credited)/charged in 
  arriving at profit after 
  tax                                     (1.4)          (0.3)     0.1   (1.6) 
 Credited to other comprehensive 
  income                                      -              -   (3.0)   (3.0) 
 Exchange rate variances                      -            1.1     0.1     1.2 
---------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------  ------ 
 At 31 December 2013                        8.0           65.5     0.9    74.4 
---------------------------------  ------------  -------------  ------  ------ 
 

Deferred tax assets are recognised in respect of tax losses carried forward to the extent that the realisation of the related tax benefit through future taxable profits is probable. At 31 December 2014 the Group did not recognise deferred tax assets of GBP10.6 million (2013: GBP8.4 million) in respect of losses amounting to GBP47.0 million (2013: GBP33.7 million) which can be carried forward against future taxable income or gains. The majority of deferred tax assets recognised within the "other" category relate either to deferred tax on swaps with a negative book value or to corporate bonds carried at below cost. Losses recognised as deferred tax assets can be carried forward without restriction.

   17      Borrowings 
 
                                                      Total 
                        Current   Non-current    borrowings 
 At 31 December 2014       GBPm          GBPm          GBPm 
---------------------  --------  ------------  ------------ 
 Bank loans               187.4         350.9         538.3 
 Debenture loans            1.6          27.4          29.0 
 Zero coupon note             -          11.2          11.2 
 Unsecured bonds          (0.3)          89.1          88.8 
 Secured notes              4.1          70.9          75.0 
---------------------  --------  ------------  ------------ 
                          192.8         549.5         742.3 
---------------------  --------  ------------  ------------ 
 
 
                                                      Total 
                        Current   Non-current    borrowings 
 At 31 December 2013       GBPm          GBPm          GBPm 
---------------------  --------  ------------  ------------ 
 Bank loans                72.6         507.5         580.1 
 Debenture loans            1.5          29.0          30.5 
 Zero coupon note             -          13.4          13.4 
 Unsecured bonds          (0.6)          92.3          91.7 
 Secured notes              4.0          75.1          79.1 
---------------------  --------  ------------  ------------ 
                           77.5         717.3         794.8 
---------------------  --------  ------------  ------------ 
 

Arrangement fees of GBP3.7 million (2013: GBP5.5 million) have been offset in arriving at the balances in the above tables.

Bank loans

Interest on bank loans is charged at fixed rates ranging between 3.1% and 11.2%, including margin (2013: 3.1% and 11.2%) and at floating rates of typically LIBOR, EURIBOR or STIBOR, plus a margin. Fixed rate margins range between 0.8% and 1.8% (2013: 0.8% and 1.8%) and floating rate margins range between 0.8% and 3.8% (2013: 0.8% and 3.8%). All bank loans are secured by legal charges over the respective properties, and in most cases a floating charge over the remainder of the assets held in the company which owns the property. In addition, the share capital of some of the subsidiaries within the Group has been charged.

Debenture loans

The debenture loans represent amortising bonds which are repayable in equal quarterly instalments of GBP1.2 million (2013: GBP1.2 million) with final repayment due in January 2025. Each instalment is apportioned between principal and interest on a reducing balance basis. Interest is charged at an annual fixed rate of 10.8%, including margin. The debentures are secured by a legal charge over a property and securitisation of its rental income.

Zero coupon note

The zero coupon note accrues interest at an annual rate of 11.2%, including margin. It is unsecured and is redeemable as a balloon repayment of principal and interest of GBP32.8 million in aggregate in February 2025. GBP3.6 million of the zero coupon note was bought back in the year at a cost of GBP4.9 million.

Unsecured bonds

On 11 September 2012, the Group issued GBP65.0 million unsecured retail bonds, which attract a fixed rate coupon of 5.5% and are due for repayment in 2019. The bonds are listed on the London Stock Exchange's Order book for Retail Bonds.

On 15 April 2011, the Group issued SEK 300 million unsecured bonds. The bonds attract a floating rate coupon of 3.75% over three months' STIBOR and are due for repayment in 2016. After two years, the Group has an option to redeem all outstanding bonds subject to an early repayment premium. The bonds were listed on the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm on 5 July 2011.

Secured notes

On 3 December 2013, the Group issued GBP80.0 million secured, partially-amortising notes. The notes attract a fixed rate coupon of 4.17% on the unamortised principal, the balance of which is repayable in December 2022.

Loan covenants

A subsidiary of the Group has an amortising secured bank loan with a carrying amount of GBP8.5 million which expires in July 2017. A covenant of the loan requiring a minimum level of net rental income from the secured property was in breach at 31 December 2014. The Group is in discussions with the bank to effect a remedy of the breach in accordance with the terms of the loan and, therefore, the loan was not payable on demand at 31 December 2014. Save for this, there were no loan covenants in breach at 31 December 2014 (2013: none).

The maturity profile of the carrying amount of the Group's borrowings was as follows:

 
                                                 Zero 
                           Bank   Debenture    coupon   Unsecured   Secured 
                          loans       loans      note       bonds     notes     Total 
 At 31 December            GBPm        GBPm      GBPm        GBPm      GBPm      GBPm 
  2014 
---------------------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------  -------- 
 Within one year 
  or on demand            188.3         1.7         -           -       4.2     194.2 
 More than one 
  but not more 
  than two years          158.1         1.8         -        24.7       4.2     188.8 
 More than two 
  but not more 
  than five years         153.4         6.8         -        65.0      12.5     237.7 
 More than five 
  years                    40.5        18.7      11.2           -      54.9     125.3 
---------------------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------  -------- 
                          540.3        29.0      11.2        89.7      75.8     746.0 
 Unamortised 
  issue costs             (2.0)           -         -       (0.9)     (0.8)     (3.7) 
---------------------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------  -------- 
 Borrowings               538.3        29.0      11.2        88.8      75.0     742.3 
 Less amount 
  due for settlement 
  within 12 months      (187.4)       (1.6)         -         0.3     (4.1)   (192.8) 
---------------------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------  -------- 
 Amounts due 
  for settlement 
  after 12 months         350.9        27.4      11.2        89.1      70.9     549.5 
---------------------  --------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------  -------- 
 
 
                                                Zero 
                          Bank   Debenture    coupon   Unsecured   Secured 
                         loans       loans      note       bonds     notes    Total 
 At 31 December           GBPm        GBPm      GBPm        GBPm      GBPm     GBPm 
  2013 
---------------------  -------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------  ------- 
 Within one year 
  or on demand            73.7         1.5         -           -       4.2     79.4 
 More than one 
  but not more 
  than two years         155.4         1.7         -           -       4.2    161.3 
 More than two 
  but not more 
  than five years        321.3         6.1         -        28.2      12.5    368.1 
 More than five 
  years                   32.8        21.2      13.4        65.0      59.1    191.5 
---------------------  -------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------  ------- 
                         583.2        30.5      13.4        93.2      80.0    800.3 
 Unamortised 
  issue costs            (3.1)           -         -       (1.5)     (0.9)    (5.5) 
---------------------  -------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------  ------- 
 Borrowings              580.1        30.5      13.4        91.7      79.1    794.8 
 Less amount 
  due for settlement 
  within 12 months      (72.6)       (1.5)         -         0.6     (4.0)   (77.5) 
---------------------  -------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------  ------- 
 Amounts due 
  for settlement 
  after 12 months        507.5        29.0      13.4        92.3      75.1    717.3 
---------------------  -------  ----------  --------  ----------  --------  ------- 
 

The interest rate risk profile of the Group's fixed rate borrowings was as follows:

 
                  At 31 December              At 31 December 
                        2014                       2013 
            --------------------------  ------------------------- 
                                                         Weighted 
                              Weighted                    average 
                  Weighted     average        Weighted     period 
                   average      period         average        for 
                     fixed         for           fixed      which 
                      rate       which            rate       rate 
              of financial        rate    of financial         is 
               liabilities    is fixed     liabilities      fixed 
                         %       Years               %      Years 
----------  --------------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
 Sterling              6.2         7.5             6.2        8.5 
 Euro                  5.0         0.7             5.0        1.7 
----------  --------------  ----------  --------------  --------- 
 

The interest rate risk profile of the Group's floating rate borrowings was as follows:

 
                          At 31 December                    At 31 December 
                                2014                              2013 
                 --------------------------------  -------------------------------- 
                       % of                              % of 
                        net     Average                   net     Average 
                   floating      capped              floating      capped 
                       rate    interest   Average        rate    interest   Average 
                      loans        rate    tenure       loans        rate    tenure 
                     capped           %     Years      capped           %     Years 
---------------  ----------  ----------  --------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 Sterling                68         3.0       1.4          63         3.0       2.2 
 Euro                    72         3.2       1.2          70         3.1       2.2 
 Swedish Krona            -         n/a       n/a           -         n/a       n/a 
---------------  ----------  ----------  --------  ----------  ----------  -------- 
 

The carrying amounts of the Group's borrowings are denominated in the following currencies:

 
                               Fixed       Floating 
                                rate           rate 
                           financial      financial 
                         liabilities    liabilities   Total 
 At 31 December 2014            GBPm           GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------  -------------  -------------  ------ 
 Sterling                      205.4          202.2   407.6 
 Euro                           25.3          228.0   253.3 
 Swedish Krona                     -           81.4    81.4 
---------------------  -------------  -------------  ------ 
                               230.7          511.6   742.3 
---------------------  -------------  -------------  ------ 
 
 
                               Fixed       Floating 
                                rate           rate 
                           financial      financial 
                         liabilities    liabilities   Total 
 At 31 December 2013            GBPm           GBPm    GBPm 
---------------------  -------------  -------------  ------ 
 Sterling                      200.6          213.9   414.5 
 Euro                           28.1          260.3   288.4 
 Swedish Krona                     -           81.1    81.1 
 Other                             -           10.8    10.8 
---------------------  -------------  -------------  ------ 
                               228.7          566.1   794.8 
---------------------  -------------  -------------  ------ 
 

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Group's borrowings are as follows:

 
                             Carrying 
                              amounts       Fair values 
                          --------------  -------------- 
                            2014    2013    2014    2013 
                            GBPm    GBPm    GBPm    GBPm 
------------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 Current borrowings        192.8    77.5   192.8    77.5 
 Non-current borrowings    549.5   717.3   586.0   743.7 
------------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
                           742.3   794.8   778.8   821.2 
------------------------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
 

Arrangement fees of GBP3.7 million (2013: GBP5.5 million) have been offset in arriving at the balances in the above table.

The fair value of non-current borrowings represents the amount at which a financial instrument could be exchanged in an arm's length transaction between informed and willing parties, discounted at the prevailing market rate, and excludes accrued interest.

The Group has the following undrawn committed facilities available at 31 December:

 
                                2014    2013 
                                GBPm    GBPm 
----------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Floating rate: 
 - expiring within one year     39.0     9.5 
 - expiring after one year         -     3.1 
----------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                39.0    12.6 
----------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
   18      Derivative financial instruments 
 
                                 2014           2014      2013           2013 
                               Assets    Liabilities    Assets    Liabilities 
                                 GBPm           GBPm      GBPm           GBPm 
--------------------------  ---------  -------------  --------  ------------- 
 Non-current 
 Interest rate swaps                -          (6.3)         -          (5.9) 
 Interest rate caps                 -              -       0.4              - 
--------------------------  ---------  -------------  --------  ------------- 
                                    -          (6.3)       0.4          (5.9) 
 ------------------------------------  -------------  --------  ------------- 
 Current 
 Interest rate swaps                -              -         -              - 
 Forward foreign exchange 
  contracts                         -          (1.0)       0.3              - 
--------------------------  ---------  -------------  --------  ------------- 
                                    -          (1.0)       0.3              - 
 ------------------------------------  -------------  --------  ------------- 
                                    -          (7.3)       0.7          (5.9) 
 ------------------------------------  -------------  --------  ------------- 
 

The valuation methods used to measure the fair value of all derivative financial instruments were derived from inputs which were either observable as prices or derived from prices (Level 2).

There were no derivative financial instruments accounted for as hedging instruments.

Interest rate swaps

The aggregate notional principal of interest rate swap contracts at 31 December 2014 was GBP41.8 million (2013: GBP35.2 million).

The average period to maturity of these interest rate swaps was 4.1 years (2013: 4.2 years).

Forward foreign exchange contracts

The Group uses forward foreign exchange contracts from time to time to add certainty to, and to minimise the impact of foreign exchange movements on, committed cash flows. At 31 December 2014 the Group had GBP2.6 million of outstanding net foreign exchange contracts (2013: GBP1.4 million).

   19      Share capital 
 
                                   Number 
                  --------------------------------------- 
                                                                Ordinary 
                       Ordinary                                   shares                  Total 
                         shares                     Total             in   Treasury    ordinary 
                             in    Treasury      ordinary    circulation     shares      shares 
                    circulation      shares        shares           GBPm       GBPm        GBPm 
----------------  -------------  ----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ---------- 
 At 1 January 
  2014               43,953,790   2,903,103    46,856,893           11.0        0.7        11.7 
 Cancelled 
  following 
  tender offers     (1,029,729)           -   (1,029,729)          (0.2)          -       (0.2) 
----------------  -------------  ----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ---------- 
 At 31 December 
  2014               42,924,061   2,903,103    45,827,164           10.8        0.7        11.5 
----------------  -------------  ----------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ---------- 
 
 
 
                                    Number 
                  ----------------------------------------- 
                                                                  Ordinary 
                       Ordinary                                     shares                  Total 
                         shares                       Total             in   Treasury    ordinary 
                             in      Treasury      ordinary    circulation     shares      shares 
                    circulation        shares        shares           GBPm       GBPm        GBPm 
----------------  -------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ---------- 
 At 1 January 
  2013               43,305,876     4,803,103    48,108,979           10.8        1.2        12.0 
 Cancelled 
  following 
  tender offers     (1,252,086)             -   (1,252,086)          (0.3)          -       (0.3) 
 Exercise 
  of share 
  options               300,000     (300,000)             -            0.1      (0.1)           - 
 Ordinary 
  shares issued 
  from treasury 
  shares              1,600,000   (1,600,000)             -            0.4      (0.4)           - 
----------------  -------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ---------- 
 At 31 December 
  2013               43,953,790     2,903,103    46,856,893           11.0        0.7        11.7 
----------------  -------------  ------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ---------- 
 

Ordinary shares have a nominal value of 25 pence each.

   20      Tender offer buy-backs 

A tender offer by way of a Circular dated 14 March 2014 for the purchase of 1 in 66 shares at 1,495 pence per share was completed in May. It returned GBP10.0 million to shareholders, equivalent to 22.65 pence per share.

A tender offer by way of a Circular dated 22 August 2014 for the purchase of 1 in 119 shares at 1,500 pence per share was completed in September. It returned GBP5.5 million to shareholders, equivalent to 12.61 pence per share.

A further tender offer will be put to shareholders in April 2015 for the purchase of 1 in 80 shares at a price of 1,950 pence per share which, if approved, will return GBP10.4 million to shareholders, equivalent to 24.38 pence per share.

   21      share premium 
 
                                          2014    2013 
                                          GBPm    GBPm 
--------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 At 1 January                             82.9    71.5 
 Ordinary shares issued from treasury 
  shares                                     -    11.4 
--------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 At 31 December 2014                      82.9    82.9 
--------------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 
   22      Other reserves 
 
                                Capital     Cumulative       Fair 
                             redemption    translation      value       Other 
                                reserve        reserve    reserve    reserves    Total 
                                   GBPm           GBPm       GBPm        GBPm     GBPm 
-------------------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  ------- 
 At 1 January 2014                 22.0           47.2      (1.3)        28.1     96.0 
 Purchase of own 
  shares: 
 - cancellation 
  pursuant to tender 
  offer                             0.2              -          -           -      0.2 
 Exchange rate variances              -         (14.0)      (0.3)           -   (14.3) 
 Available-for-sale 
  financial assets: 
 - net fair value 
  gains in the year                   -              -        7.8           -      7.8 
 - deferred tax 
  thereon                             -              -      (0.9)           -    (0.9) 
-------------------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  ------- 
 At 31 December 
  2014                             22.2           33.2        5.3        28.1     88.8 
-------------------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  ------- 
 
 
                                Capital     Cumulative       Fair 
                             redemption    translation      value       Other 
                                reserve        reserve    reserve    reserves    Total 
                                   GBPm           GBPm       GBPm        GBPm     GBPm 
-------------------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  ------- 
 At 1 January 2013                 21.7           43.8        8.2        28.1    101.8 
 Purchase of own 
  shares: 
 - cancellation 
  pursuant to tender 
  offer                             0.3              -          -           -      0.3 
 Exchange rate variances              -            3.4          -           -      3.4 
 Available-for-sale 
  financial assets: 
 - net fair value 
  losses in the year                  -              -     (12.6)           -   (12.6) 
 - deferred tax 
  thereon                             -              -        3.1           -      3.1 
-------------------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  ------- 
 At 31 December 2013               22.0           47.2      (1.3)        28.1     96.0 
-------------------------  ------------  -------------  ---------  ----------  ------- 
 

The cumulative translation reserve comprises the aggregate effect of translating net assets of overseas subsidiaries into sterling since acquisition.

The fair value reserve comprises the aggregate movement in the value of corporate bonds, other available-for-sale assets and owner-occupied property since acquisition, net of deferred tax.

The amount classified as other reserves was created prior to listing in 1994 on a Group reconstruction and is considered to be non-distributable.

   23      Cash generated from operations 
 
                                             2014     2013 
                                             GBPm     GBPm 
---------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 Operating profit                           259.8     92.3 
 Adjustments for: 
 Net movements on revaluation of 
  investment properties                   (186.0)      0.2 
 Depreciation and amortisation                0.3      0.3 
 Profit on sale of investment property      (8.7)    (4.5) 
 Profit on sale of joint venture                -    (1.8) 
 Gain arising on acquisition                (1.2)        - 
 Non-cash rental income                     (0.5)    (0.5) 
 Fair value gain on reclassification        (0.2)        - 
  of an associate as a subsidiary 
 Net gain on sale of corporate bonds 
  and other financial investments               -   (14.1) 
 Fair value gain on reclassification 
  of an associate as an investment              -   (14.9) 
 Changes in working capital: 
 (Increase)/decrease in debtors             (2.0)      1.2 
 (Decrease)/increase in creditors           (8.2)      5.2 
---------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 Cash generated from operations              53.3     63.4 
---------------------------------------  --------  ------- 
 
   24      BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS 

Cood Investment AB and First Camp Sverige Holding AB

On 11 February 2014, the Group acquired a 58.0% interest in a newly incorporated company, First Camp Sverige Holding AB ("FCSH"). On 15 August 2014, FCSH acquired a 23.8% interest in Cood Investment AB ("Cood") for the consideration of SEK 3. As a result, the Group's interest in Cood increased from 44.2% to 58.0% and Cood was reclassified from an associate to a subsidiary. A fair value gain on reclassification to a subsidiary of GBP0.2 million has been recognised in the group income statement.

The Group has consolidated the gross results and balance sheet of Cood and accounted for its non-controlling interests in accordance with IFRS 3, Business Combinations. A gain of GBP1.2 million arose on acquisition which was credited to the group income statement. The book values and the provisional fair values of the assets and liabilities at the date of the acquisition, translated at the prevailing exchange rate, were as follows:

 
                                                                                           Fair          Fair 
                                                                                          value         value 
                                                                                             of            of 
                                                                  Fair     Fair    pre-existing    additional 
                                                    Book         value    value           44.2%         13.8% 
                                                  values    adjustment    Total           share      acquired 
 At 15 August 2014                                  GBPm          GBPm     GBPm            GBPm          GBPm 
----------------------------------------------  --------  ------------  -------  --------------  ------------ 
 Non-current assets 
  - property, plant and 
  equipment                                         15.6           3.6     19.2             8.5           2.6 
 Non-current assets 
  - other                                            8.4         (5.4)      3.0             1.3           0.4 
 Trade and other receivables                         9.3         (4.9)      4.4             2.0           0.6 
 Cash and cash equivalents                           2.9             -      2.9             1.3           0.4 
 Current liabilities                              (16.7)             -   (16.7)           (7.4)         (2.2) 
 Non-current liabilities 
  - debt                                           (3.3)             -    (3.3)           (1.5)         (0.4) 
 Non-current liabilities 
  - deferred tax                                   (0.3)         (1.0)    (1.3)           (0.6)         (0.2) 
----------------------------------------------  --------  ------------  -------  --------------  ------------ 
 Net assets at date 
  of acquisition                                    15.9         (7.7)      8.2             3.6           1.2 
----------------------------------------------  --------  ------------  ------- 
 Book value as an associate                                                               (3.4)             - 
 Total consideration                                                                          -             - 
  for net assets acquired 
----------------------------------------------  --------  ------------  -------  --------------  ------------ 
 Gain arising on reclassification/acquisition                                               0.2           1.2 
----------------------------------------------  --------  ------------  -------  --------------  ------------ 
 

Fair value adjustments arose on operating property assets and receivables: the operating property assets were fair valued to market value, net of the associated deferred tax; provisions against receivables which became due from Group subsidiaries were reversed.

The fair value assessment was made on a provisional basis.

Cash flows on acquisition were:

 
                                                            Fair 
                                                           value             Fair 
                                                              of            value 
                                                    pre-existing    of additional 
                                                           44.2%            13.8% 
                                                           share         acquired 
                                            GBPm            GBPm             GBPm 
----------------------------------------  ------  --------------  --------------- 
 Cash                                          -               -                - 
 Total consideration for assets                -               -                - 
  acquired 
 Less non-cash consideration                   -               -                - 
 Less cash acquired                        (2.9)           (1.3)            (0.4) 
----------------------------------------  ------  --------------  --------------- 
 Net cash inflow arising on acquisition    (2.9)           (1.3)            (0.4) 
----------------------------------------  ------  --------------  --------------- 
 

On 14 November 2014, FCSH acquired assets and shares in companies from Cood and the Group simultaneously disposed of its interest in Cood for nominal value. No gain or loss arose on this disposal.

   25      BUSINESS DISPOSALS 

Fielden House Limited

On 11 April 2013, the Group disposed of its one-third interest in the issued share capital of a joint venture, Fielden House Investment Limited. The joint venture was previously reported within the UK geographical segment.

 
                                          2013 
                                          GBPm 
                                        ------ 
Net assets disposed of: 
Non-current assets                         2.7 
Current assets                             0.1 
Current liabilities                      (0.1) 
Non-current liabilities                  (2.0) 
                                        ------ 
                                           0.7 
Gain on disposal of joint venture          1.8 
                                        ------ 
Total consideration                        2.5 
                                        ------ 
 
Satisfied by: 
Cash                                       2.5 
Deferred consideration                       - 
                                        ------ 
                                           2.5 
                                        ------ 
 
Net cash inflow arising on disposal: 
Cash consideration                         2.5 
Cash and cash equivalents disposed of    (0.1) 
Borrowings disposed of                     2.0 
                                        ------ 
                                           4.4 
                                        ------ 
 
   26      RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

Associates and Joint Ventures

A Group company provided accounting services to Bulgarian Land Development plc, an associate of the Group, for which a charge of GBP25,000 was made (2013: GBP40,433), of which GBP6,250 (2013: GBP6,250) remained outstanding at the balance sheet date.

At 31 December 2014, the Group had a convertible loan of GBP411,002 (2013: GBP469,210), due from Nyheter24 Media Network AB, an associate company. Until 1 May 2015, this loan is interest free, and thereafter attracts Swedish base rate plus 2%. At any date between 1 May 2016 and 30 June 2016, the Group is permitted to convert the loan into shares in Nyheter24 Media Network AB at SEK 40.5 each.

In 2013, the Group sold its one-third interest in Fielden House Investment Limited (see note 34).

On 11 March 2013, the Group acquired an additional 27.6% interest in Cood Investments AB ("Cood"), for GBP0.3 million, increasing its interest to 44.2%. This was a related party transaction as: first, the trust in which Sten Mortstedt, Executive Chairman of CLS Holdings plc, is interested (the "Trust") simultaneously acquired at the same price per share an additional 13.8% interest in Cood, increasing its interest to 22.2%; and, second, a company in which Christer Sandberg has an interest ("Christer Sandberg's company") owned 9.8% of Cood. Christer Sandberg is a director of certain Group companies.

On 25 July 2013, Cood issued a two year convertible loan bearing an annual interest rate of 12% and convertible into preference shares (the "Convertible Loan"). The conversion price was SEK 10,000 per Cood preference share, and each preference share would carry ten times the voting rights and capital rights of an ordinary share. The loanholder could elect to be paid the loan coupon in cash or payment-in-kind (being preference shares in Cood). The Convertible Loan was convertible at the option of the loanholder only, and at any time between 1 January 2014 and 31 May 2015. The Group's participation in the Convertible Loan amounted to SEK 23,220,000; the Trust simultaneously participated in the Convertible Loan for an amount of SEK 11,650,000 and Christer Sandberg's company for an amount of SEK 5,170,000.

At 1 January 2014, the Group had provided to Cood up to GBP8.0 million of lending facilities at market rates, of which GBP3,324,362 was outstanding. On 16 February 2014, the Group lent a further GBP1,027,048 under the existing loan facility.

On 11 February 2014, the Group acquired for GBP2,393 a 58.0% interest in FCSH (note 33), in which company the Trust has a 29.1% interest and Christer Sandberg's company. As required under IFRS 3 "Business Combinations", the Group has consolidated the results and balance sheet of FCSH and, therefore, any loans and accrued interest have been eliminated.

On 15 August 2014, the Group acquired a controlling interest in Cood.

On 18 September 2014, the outstanding loan and accrued interest on both the Convertible Loan and loan facility were novated from Cood to First Camp Sverige Holding AB ("FCSH").

Up to 18 September 2014, interest of GBP211,563 (2013: GBP81,000) was charged on the Convertible Loans, of which GBPnil (2013: GBP77,476) was outstanding at the balance sheet date; and interest of GBP227,305 (2013: GBP270,229) was charged on the loan facility, of which GBPnil (2013: GBP25,109) was outstanding at the balance sheet date.

On 14 November 2014, the Group, together with the Trust and Christer Sandberg's company, sold their entire holdings in Cood for nominal value.

Transactions with Directors

Distributions totalling GBP8,813,580 (2013: GBP8,096,147) were made through tender offer buy-backs in the year in respect of ordinary shares held by the Company's Directors.

During the year, a company owned by Sten Mortstedt rented office space to a Group company, Vänerparken Investment AB ("Vänerparken"), at a cost of GBP35,403 (2013: GBP39,240). At the balance sheet date a Group company, Museion Förvaltning AB, had signed an agreement to lease the office space until 30 September 2018 at a cost of GBP35,403 per annum. Also, a company owned by Sten Mortstedt purchased accountancy services from Vänerparken during the year amounting to GBPnil (2013: GBP4,710). In relation to all of these transactions, no balances were outstanding at the balance sheet date (2013: GBPnil).

During the year a son of Joe Crawley rented premises from the Group at an arm's length rent for three months.

Directors' Remuneration

The remuneration of the Directors, who are the key management personnel of the Group, is set out below in aggregate for each of the categories specified in IAS 24 Related Party Disclosures. Information about the remuneration of individual directors is provided in the audited part of the Remuneration Committee Report in the 2014 Annual Report and Accounts.

 
                                  2014    2013 
                                  GBPm    GBPm 
------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 Short-term employee benefits    2,054   1,653 
 Post-employment benefits           35      21 
 Other long-term benefits          250     538 
------------------------------  ------  ------ 
                                 2,339   2,212 
------------------------------  ------  ------ 
 

glossary of terms

ADJUSTED NET ASSETS or adjusted shareholders' funds

Net assets excluding the fair value of financial derivatives, deferred tax on revaluations, and goodwill arising as a result of deferred tax

ADJUSTED NET GEARING

Net debt expressed as a percentage of adjusted net assets

ADJUSTED SOLIDITY

Adjusted net assets expressed as a percentage of adjusted total assets

ADJUSTED TOTAL ASSETS

Total assets excluding deferred tax assets

Administration Cost Ratio

Recurring administration expenses of the Investment Property operating segment expressed as a percentage of net rental income

Balance sheet loan to value

Net debt expressed as a percentage of total assets less cash and short-term deposits

CONTRACTED RENT

Annual contracted rental income after any rent-free periods have expired

CORE PROFIT

Profit before tax and before net movements on revaluation of investment properties, profit on sale of investment properties, subsidiaries and corporate bonds, impairment of intangible assets and goodwill, non-recurring costs, change in fair value of derivatives and foreign exchange variances

DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

Profit after tax divided by the diluted weighted average number of ordinary shares

DILUTED NET ASSETS

Equity shareholders' funds increased by the potential proceeds from issuing those shares issuable under employee share schemes

DILUTED NET ASSETS PER SHARE OR DILUTED NET ASSET VALUE

Diluted net assets divided by the diluted number of ordinary shares

DILUTED NUMBER OF ORDINARY SHARES

Number of ordinary shares in circulation at the balance sheet date adjusted to include the effect of potential dilutive shares issuable under employee share schemes

DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF ORDINARY SHARES

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period adjusted to include the effect of potential weighted average dilutive shares issuable under employee share schemes

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Profit after tax divided by the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue in the period

EPRA

European Public Real Estate Association

EPRA EARNINGS PER SHARE

Profit after tax, but excluding net gains or losses from fair value adjustments on investment properties, profits or losses on disposal of investment properties and other non-current investment interests, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, movements in fair value of derivative financial instruments and their related current and deferred tax

EPRA NET ASSETS

Diluted net assets excluding the fair value of financial derivatives, deferred tax on revaluations, and goodwill arising as a result of deferred tax

EPRA NET ASSETS PER SHARE

EPRA net assets divided by the diluted number of ordinary shares

EPRA net initial yield

Annual passing rent less net service charge costs on investment properties expressed as a percentage of the investment property valuation after adding purchasers' costs

EPRA topped up net initial yield

Annual net rents on investment properties expressed as a percentage of the investment property valuation after adding purchasers' costs

EPRA TRIPLE NET ASSETS

EPRA net assets adjusted to reflect the fair value of debt and derivatives and to include the fair value of deferred tax on property revaluations

EPRA TRIPLE NET ASSETS PER SHARE

EPRA triple net assets divided by the diluted number of ordinary shares

ESTIMATED RENTAL VALUE (ERV)

The market rental value of lettable space as estimated by the Group's valuers

INTEREST COVER

The aggregate of group revenue less costs, divided by the aggregate of interest expense and amortisation of loan issue costs, less interest income

liquid resources

Cash and short-term deposits and listed corporate bonds

NET ASSETS PER SHARE OR NET ASSET VALUE (NAV)

Equity shareholders' funds divided by the number of ordinary shares in circulation at the balance sheet date

NET DEBT

Total borrowings less liquid resources

NET GEARING

Net debt expressed as a percentage of net assets

NET INITIAL YIELD

Annual net rents on investment properties expressed as a percentage of the investment property valuation

NET RENT

Contracted rent less net service charge costs

OCCUPANCY RATE

Contracted rent expressed as a percentage of the aggregate of contracted rent and the ERV of vacant space

OVER-RENTED

The amount by which ERV falls short of the aggregate of passing rent

PASSING RENT

Contracted rent before any rent-free periods have expired

Property LOAN TO VALUE

Property borrowings expressed as a percentage of the market value of the property portfolio

RENT ROLL

Contracted rent

SOLIDITY

Equity shareholders' funds expressed as a percentage of total assets

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN

For a given number of shares, the aggregate of the proceeds from tender offer buy-backs and change in the market value of the shares during the year adjusted for cancellations occasioned by such buy-backs, as a percentage of the market value of the shares at the beginning of the year

True equivalent yield

The capitalisation rate applied to future cash flows to calculate the gross property value, as determined by the Group's external valuers

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

FR EADDLEESSEEF

Grafico Azioni Cls (LSE:CLI)
Storico
Da Giu 2024 a Lug 2024 Clicca qui per i Grafici di Cls
Grafico Azioni Cls (LSE:CLI)
Storico
Da Lug 2023 a Lug 2024 Clicca qui per i Grafici di Cls