To: Business Editor 1st August 2013
For immediate release
The following announcement was issued today to a Regulatory Information Service approved by the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom.
HONGKONG LAND HOLDINGS LIMITED
HALF-YEARLY RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH JUNE 2013
Highlights
· Underlying earnings up 63% to US$519 million
· Higher average rents from investment properties
· Hong Kong rental reversions largely positive
· Two Singapore residential developments completed
"While the operating environment generally remains uncertain, the Group is well positioned in its key markets. Conditions in the Hong Kong office leasing market have shown some improvement and positive rental reversions are expected to continue for the remainder of the year. During the second half, the Group will also benefit from the completion of a third residential project in Singapore as well as ongoing completions in mainland China."
Ben Keswick, Chairman
1st August 2013
Results
| (unaudited) |
|
|
| Six months ended 30th June |
|
|
| 2013 | 2012 | Change |
|
| US$m | US$m | % |
|
|
| restated† |
|
|
Underlying profit attributable to shareholders# | 519 | 318 | +63 |
|
Profit attributable to shareholders | 598 | 626 | -4 |
|
Shareholders' funds | 26,386 | 26,148* | +1 |
|
Net debt | 3,316 | 3,273* | +1 |
|
| US¢ | US¢ | % |
|
Underlying earnings per share | 22.08 | 13.58 | +63 |
|
Earnings per share | 25.43 | 26.72 | -5 |
|
Interim dividend per share | 6.00 | 6.00 | - |
|
| US$ | US$ | % |
|
Net asset value per share | 11.21 | 11.11* | +1 |
|
# The Group uses 'underlying profit attributable to shareholders' in its internal financial reporting to distinguish between ongoing business performance and non-trading items, as more fully described in note 8 to the condensed financial statements. Management considers this to be a key measure which provides additional information to enhance understanding of the Group's underlying business performance. * At 31st December 2012 † The accounts have been restated due to a change in accounting policy upon adoption of IAS 19 (amended 2011) 'Employee Benefits', as set out in note 1 to the condensed financial statements. |
The interim dividend of US¢6.00 per share will be payable on 16th October 2013 to shareholders on the register of members at the close of business on 23rd August 2013. The ex-dividend date will be on 21st August 2013, and the share registers will be closed from 26th to 30th August 2013, inclusive. |
HONGKONG LAND HOLDINGS LIMITED
HALF-YEARLY RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30TH JUNE 2013
OVERVIEW
The Group's results benefited from higher rents achieved in its commercial properties and the completion of two large residential projects in Singapore. In Hong Kong, the limited new supply of office and retail space is supporting positive rental reversions. In the Group's key residential markets, sentiment remains affected by government measures to dampen prices, particularly in the premium sector. Notwithstanding this, overall sales at the Group's residential projects in Singapore and mainland China have been satisfactory.
PERFORMANCE
The Group's underlying profit for the first six months of 2013 was US$519 million compared with US$318 million in 2012.
In addition, a US$79 million net gain has been recorded following an independent valuation of the Group's investment properties at 30th June 2013, including its share of properties in joint ventures. This compares with a US$308 million gain in the first half of 2012.
Accordingly, the profit attributable to shareholders for the first half of 2013 was US$598 million, compared with US$626 million in the comparable period last year. The net asset value per share at 30th June 2013 was US$11.21, up 1% from US$11.11 at the end of 2012.
The Directors have declared an interim dividend of US¢6.00 per share, unchanged from 2012.
GROUP REVIEW
Commercial Property
In Hong Kong, the office leasing market has shown signs of improvement although overall activity remains low. Current rents, which remain below the highs achieved in 2011, are relatively stable. Rental reversions continued to be largely positive and the Group's average office rent rose to HK$96.6 per sq. ft in the first six months compared with HK$89.3 per sq. ft in the same period of 2012. At 30th June 2013, office vacancy was 5.6% compared to 3.4% at the end of December 2012. The increase was mainly due to a major lease expiry in April. Commitments for some 75% of this space have now been secured but are not yet fully reflected as some leases only take effect in the second half.
Rental reversions were also positive in the Hong Kong retail portfolio, which remained fully occupied. The Group's average retail rent was HK$197.4 per sq. ft compared to HK$165.3 per sq. ft in the first half of 2012.
In Singapore, the office portfolio was 97% leased, including Tower 3 of Marina Bay Financial Centre which is now 90% committed. Rental levels were stable, but new leases were principally for smaller spaces, with overall activity remaining relatively subdued. In Jakarta, the Group's 50%-owned office portfolio was 93% let.
Construction has commenced on the Group's Wangfujing development, its first significant commercial project in Beijing.
Residential Property
Two large projects were completed in Singapore. MCL Land's The Estuary project with 608 units had been fully pre-sold. At the one-third owned Marina Bay Suites development, the final residential component of the Marina Bay Financial Centre complex, 89% of the 221 units had been sold prior to completion. Este Villa, a fully pre-sold MCL Land project of 121 freehold townhouses, is scheduled for completion in the second half of the year.
A 738-unit condominium project, J Gateway, was fully committed within a few days of its June launch. Palms@Sixth Avenue, an exclusive 32-unit landed housing development launched in March, is 19% pre-sold. This project is targeted at the premium sector where the government cooling measures have had greatest impact. MCL Land also started selective marketing of Hallmark Residences, a 75-unit condominium project. Construction at the three previously launched projects is on schedule. These are mostly pre-sold.
In Hong Kong, five apartments of Serenade were handed over to buyers in the first half of the year. At the Group's 47%-owned joint venture in Macau, seven units were handed over.
In mainland China, the Group's attributable interest in contracted sales across its residential projects was US$369 million in the first six months of the year, compared with US$200 million in the same period in 2012. The Group benefited from improving market conditions as well as additional launches. In particular, pre-sales of the first phases at Yorkville North and Chengdu in the period were encouraging while Yorkville South also performed ahead of expectations. Sales continue at other Group projects in Chongqing, Shenyang and Maple Place in Beijing.
Master planning has been completed at the Group's 49%-owned residential joint venture development in the southwest of Jakarta, with construction and pre-selling targeted to commence in 2014. Recently, the Group has agreed to take a 40% interest in a residential project to be developed in Jakarta with its affiliate, PT Astra International. The project will feature some 500 luxury apartments in the heart of the city.
FINANCE
At 30th June 2013, the Group's net debt was US$3.3 billion, with gearing of 13%. This was little changed from the position at the end of 2012. During the first half of 2013, the Group raised US$930 million in bilateral loan facilities, principally to refinance expiring facilities.
PEOPLE
Simon Keswick stepped down as Chairman in May, and remains a non-executive Director. We appreciate greatly his tremendous contribution as Chairman of the Group's holding company since his first appointment in 1983.
OUTLOOK
While the operating environment generally remains uncertain, the Group is well positioned in its key markets. Conditions in the Hong Kong office leasing market have shown some improvement and positive rental reversions are expected to continue for the remainder of the year. During the second half, the Group will also benefit from the completion of a third residential project in Singapore as well as ongoing completions in mainland China.
Ben Keswick
Chairman
1st August 2013