Half Yearly Report
Performance Highlights - all figures pre-exceptional
· Housing legal completions up 9% at 810 (2012: 746); open-market legal completions up 30% at 699 (2012: 537).
· Sales per outlet week up 18% at 0.77 (2012: 0.65)
· Housing revenue up 30% on 2012 reflecting our growing number of sales outlets and higher open market Average Selling Prices (ASP)
· Gross profit margins down slightly at 27.8% (2012: 28.3%); operating profit margins up 2.4% at 18.1% (2012: 15.7%).
· Profit after tax up 75% to £21.9m (2012: £12.5m).
· Strong balance sheet position; net debt/equity ratio of 2.4% (2012: 27.5%).
· 1,019 plots added to the short-term land bank, primarily in the South East and London, at good gross margins.
· Approximately 1,500 plots added to the Strategic land bank across seven sites
· Forward sales at mid-June of £330.9m (2012: £220.5m), 50.1% ahead of prior year with 88% of this year's forecast secured (2012: 82%).
· Crest Nicholson set to enter the FTSE 250 index following market close on 21st June 2013.
Commenting on today's statement, Stephen Stone, Chief Executive, said:
"I am delighted to announce excellent results from Crest Nicholson for the first half of the year. This represents a strong start to our return as a listed company. Purchaser demand for high quality homes, on well designed developments, remains robust and signs of improved access to mortgages together with the initiatives that the Government has put in place should help to stimulate activity in the industry and assist people in purchasing a new home. With this improving sentiment and the opportunities available to the business, the Board remains confident in the outturn for the year."