
Assura announces 49% increase in dividend to 1.8 pence per share on an annual basis
Increase in underlying profit1 and net asset value
- Underlying profit from continuing operations up 10.2% to £5.4 million (2012: £4.9 million)
- 114% increase in profit before tax to £12.2 million (2012: £5.7 million), after charging £0.9m of exceptional items
- Adjusted EPRA NAV2 per share up 4.4% to 40.3 pence (March 2013: 38.6 pence)
- Total rent roll of £40.7 million (March 2013: £35.9 million)
- Total property assets3 of £651 million, up from £569 million
- Net rental income up 5.9% to £17.9 million (2012: £16.9 million)
Creating value through capital recycling
- Acquired £62.9 million Trinity4 portfolio with annualised rent roll of £4.0 million
- Contracts exchanged for disposal of LIFT assets for £22.4m, £11.2m above book value worth 2.1 pence per share before costs
49% increase in dividend
- Increase in proposed dividend of 49% to 1.8 pence per share on an annual basis, 0.45 pence per quarter
- Dividend fully covered and progressive dividend policy maintained
Assura is a leading operator in a large, growing market
- Ever increasing demands on health service from ageing population, increasing expectations and medical advances
- New restructured NHS recognises primary care will need to play a key role in handling these increasing demands
- NHS is beginning to tackle issues of underinvestment in the primary care estate; two-thirds of GP premises are not suitable for future needs
- There continues to be a backlog in primary care investments; and this will remain a major driver of long-term growth
Assura is well positioned to continue outperforming the market
- Deep understanding of GP issues and specialist building requirements; strong relationships with key stakeholders including GPs and communities
- Strong in-house development capability; development is demand-led
- Four new developments completed for a 6.9% yield on cost. Eight developments on site and a further 31 potential schemes identified with an aggregate value exceeding £80 million
- Converted to REIT status from 1 April 2013, enabling the Group to compete with other tax efficient investors and access a global specialist investor base
Graham Roberts, Chief Executive, said:
“These results build on our achievements last year. Our performance has been driven by intensive management actions over the period as we continue to drive value from our core investments, grow our asset base, extract value from our non-core portfolio and add value through financial discipline. This together with our successful acquisition of the Trinity portfolio has allowed us to make a step change increase in our quarterly dividend of 49%, and retain our progressive dividend policy.
Demands on the NHS will continue increasing, and primary care must play a key and growing role in meeting the nation’s future healthcare needs. Assura, through its expertise, development programme and low cost structure, is well placed to help deliver primary care space for the future.”
1 Stated before exceptional, capital and other items – see Interim Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
2 Net Asset Value – note 9
3 Investment property plus property assets held for sale
4 Trinity Medical Developments Limited (“Trinity”)
For further information, please contact:
Assura Group Limited: Graham Roberts Carolyn Jones |
Tel: 01925 420660 |
Oriel Securities: Mark Young Roger Clarke |
Tel: 0207 710 7600 |
Liberum Capital: Peter Tracey Jamie Richards |
Tel: 0203 100 2000 |
RLM Finsbury: Gordon Simpson |
Tel: 0207 251 3801 |
Presentation and Webcast:
A presentation will be held for analysts and investors on 26 November 2013 at 9am London time, with a webcast accessible via the following link live on demand and subsequently available from 2pm:
Alternatively to listen to the audio of the presentation live, dial: 0208 817 9301, using confirmation code: 10916050