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CAPITAL & COUNTIES PROPERTIES PLC - Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2020

2020/08/12 08:00:00

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                    Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2020

Capital & Counties Properties PLC
(Incorporated and registered in the United Kingdom and
Wales with registration Number 07145041 and registered in
South Africa as an external company with Registration
Number 2010/003387/10)
JSE code: CCO
ISIN: GB00B62G9D36

12 August 2020
CAPITAL & COUNTIES PROPERTIES PLC (“CAPCO”)

INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2020

Confident in the long-term prospects for prime central London, in particular the West
End

Ian Hawksworth, Chief Executive of Capco, commented:

“Covent Garden is a major central London destination offering a pedestrianised open
air environment. Our strong financial position has enabled us to take early action to
support our customers through this extraordinary period and take advantage of market
opportunities.

Capco is focused on making sure our customers reopen successfully and are provided
the setting which offers the best opportunity to gradually build back towards
previous levels of trade. The majority of our retail and hospitality customers have
reopened with encouraging early indicators.

There remain many challenges and an unpredictable economic environment however Capco
is confident in the long-term prospects of the West End and the value of its unique
investments.”

Key financials

-   Equity attributable to owners of the Parent of £2.0 billion (Dec 2019: £2.5
    billion)
-   EPRA NTA declined by 18 per cent to 241 pence per share (Dec 2019: 293 pence per
    share)
-   Total property value of £2.3 billion, a decrease of 16.3 per cent (like-for-like)
    (Dec 2019: £2.8 billion)
-   The Directors have deferred the dividend decision until the end of the year (Jun
    2019: 0.5 pence per share)

Covent Garden, a landmark globally-recognised estate

-   Covent Garden total property value of £2.2 billion, a decrease of 17 per cent
    (like-for-like) since 31 December 2019
-   Net rental income down 41 per cent to £18 million against June 2019
-   ERV decreased by 12 per cent (like-for-like) to £96 million (Dec 2019: £108
    million)
-   Capco has provided support to retail and hospitality customers experiencing cash
    flow pressures, with rental agreements being adjusted on a case-by-case basis to
    include deferrals and turnover-linked arrangements where appropriate
-   Strong leasing pipeline before the impact of COVID-19; 22 new leases and renewals
    were agreed during the period
-   Continuing to attract high quality brands including Vashi and Neuhaus
-   As a pedestrianised open air environment, Covent Garden is well-positioned as lock
    down measures are eased and consumers return to central London
-   Additional streets around the Piazza have been pedestrianised, allowing for
    greater freedom of movement and increased al fresco dining across the estate
-   As a responsible, long-term owner of the estate, Capco has been working closely
    with local communities and continues to provide assistance to charity partners in
    the West End

Acquisition of 26.3% stake in Shaftesbury PLC

-   Unique opportunity to acquire a significant stake in an exceptional mixed-use real
    estate portfolio
-   Represents an attractive investment and entry point at an implied value of £1,200
    per square foot relative to current valuation of £1,800 per square foot
-   Consistent with Capco’s strategy to invest in complementary opportunities on or
    near Covent Garden

Strong liquidity and balance sheet position

-   Group loan to value ratio of 32 per cent (Dec 2019: 16 per cent)
-   Group net debt to gross assets of 26 per cent (Dec 2019: 15 per cent), taking into
    account the value of the investment in Shaftesbury shares, as at 30 June 2020
-   Group undrawn facilities and cash of £616 million (Dec 2019: £895 million)
-   Group net debt of £721 million (31 December 2019: £442 million)
-   Capital commitments of £93 million (includes £88 million in respect of second
    tranche of Shaftesbury shares) (Dec 2019: £14 million)
-   Weighted average debt maturity of 4.4 years (Dec 2019: 4.9 years)
-   Weighted average cost of debt of 2.6 per cent (Dec 2019: 3.0 per cent)
-   £90 million of deferred consideration from the Earls Court sale received in March
    2020, with a further £105 million expected to be received later this year and £15
    million due in 2021
-   There is significant headroom against the LTV covenant position, and interest
    cover covenant waivers in respect of the current financial year have been agreed
    to address interruption to near-term income

Lillie Square

-      The Lillie Square property valuation declined by 5 per cent (like-for-like) to
       £138 million (Dec 2019: £177 million)
-      Completion of Phase 2 continues to progress with 66 units handed over in the first
       half of this year, representing £81 million of cash proceeds (£40 million Capco
       share)
-      A further 120 units remain in Phase 2, of which 93 have been pre-sold representing
       approximately £120 million of further proceeds (£60 million Capco share)

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                                                                           30 June           31 December
                                                                              2020                  2019

Equity attributable to owners of the Parent                                £2,021m               £2,478m
Equity attributable to owners of the Parent per share                       237.5p                290.0p
-17.5% Total return for six months ended 30 June 2020
(full year 2019: -9.6%)
EPRA net tangible assets value(1)                                          £2,052m               £2,506m
EPRA net tangible assets value per share(1)                                 240.5p                292.9p
Dividend per share                                                               –                  1.5p
-15.3% Total property return for six months ended 30
June 2020 (full year 2019: -5.4%)
Property market value(2)                                                   £2,305m                £2,774m
Net rental income from continuing operations(3)                             £18.2m                 £61.2m
Loss for the period attributable to owners of the Parent                 (£440.7)m               £253.6)m
Headline loss per share                                                      (1.0)p                (2.2)p
Basic loss per share(1)                                                     (51.7)p               (29.7)p
Underlying earnings per share(4)                                               0.3p                  1.1p

    1. From continuing and discontinued operations. Refer to note 11 “Earnings per share and Net Assets Per Share” on page 41 of the full announcement.
    2. On a Group share basis. Refer to Property Data on page 56 of the full announcement for the Group’s percentage ownership of property.
    3. On a Group share basis. Refer to note 2 “Segmental Reporting” on page 32 of the full announcement.
    4. From continuing and discontinued operations. Refer to Consolidated Underlying Profit Statement on page 58 of the full announcement.

SHORT FORM ANNOUNCEMENT

This short-form announcement is the responsibility of the Directors. It is only a
summary of the information contained in the full announcement and does not contain
full or complete details. Any investment decision should be based on the full
announcement accessible from 12 August 2020 via the JSE link at
https://senspdf.jse.co.za/documents/2020/jse/isse/CCO/HY20Result.pdf and also
available on the Company’s website at www.capitalandcounties.com. Copies of the full
announcement may also be requested by contacting the Company
(feedback@capitalandcounties.com or telephone +44 (0)20 3214 9170).


DIVIDENDS

Given current market conditions and the significant uncertainties due to COVID-19,
the Board has taken the decision to not declare an interim dividend. It is intended
that the Company will recommence dividend payments as soon as it is considered
appropriate, maintaining the target of a progressive dividend policy in line with
growth in underlying earnings.

Enquiries:

Capital & Counties Properties PLC:

Ian Hawksworth               Chief Executive              +44 (0)20 3214 9188
Situl Jobanputra             Chief Financial Officer      +44 (0)20 3214 9183
Sarah Corbett                Head of Commercial Finance   +44 (0)20 3214 9165
                             and Investor Relations

Media enquiries:
UK: Hudson Sandler           Michael Sandler              +44 (0)20 7796 4133
SA: Instinctif               Frederic Cornet              +27 (0)11 447 3030


JSE Sponsor:
Merrill Lynch South Africa (Pty) Limited

A presentation to analysts and investors will take place today at 08:30am (UK time)
through a webcast on the Group’s website www.capitalandcounties.com followed by an
invited analyst Q&A.

Date: 12-08-2020 08:00:00
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