Preliminary Results
Development Securities today reports a step change in performance with a record level profit before tax and a record level of development and trading gains realised during the year
Financial highlights
· Headline profit before tax increased by 133% to £45.4 million* (2014: £19.5 million)
· Continued NAV growth - EPRA NAV per share increased by 8.4% to 284p (2014: 262p**) before payment of a £10.0 million special dividend (8.0 pence per share)
· Step change in level of development and trading gains - 69% increase to £45.7 million (2014: £27.0 million)
· £11.2 million increase (12.1%) in value of investment portfolio including share of joint ventures (2014: £4.8 million increase)
· Total dividends for the year increased to 13.9 pence per share (2014: 5.6 pence per share), comprising a recommended, increased final dividend of 3.5 pence per share (9.4% higher than 2014), interim dividend of 2.4 pence per share and special dividend of 8.0 pence per share
Operating highlights
· Cathedral Group acquisition in May 2014 has expanded portfolio of projects and is delivering value
· Management succession secured with strong leadership for the future
· Capital recycling enhances and refocuses investment portfolio
· Good visibility on significant development and trading gains in FY 2016 and beyond
· Clear focus and strategy for deployment of capital into new opportunities