RNS
Cairn Homes plc

Cairn Homes plc - Interim Results for Six Months Ended 30 June 2020

RNS Number : 5494Y
Cairn Homes plc
10 September 2020
 

 

 

Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 30 June 2020

Safe Return to Work, Positioned for Return to Significant Growth

 

Dublin / London, 10 September 2020: Cairn Homes Plc ("Cairn", "the Company" or "the Group"), the leading Irish homebuilding company, announces its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2020.

 

Financial Highlights

6 months ended
June 2020

6 months ended
June 2019

€'m

Revenue

80.9

192.4

Gross profit

13.0

35.7

Gross margin

16.1%

18.6%

Operating profit

5.8

27.3

Operating margin

7.1%

14.2%

Earnings per share

0.16c

2.37c

 

 

 

 

As at 30 June
2020

As at 31 December 2019

 

Total equity

740.4

763.7

Net debt

186.8

91.2

 

 

Highlights

·      €5.8 million operating profit realised in spite of Covid-19 related site closures and costs.

·      Construction productivity now back to c. 85% of pre-pandemic levels.

·      Primary focus on operating safe environments across 15 sites.

·      Summer sales momentum has carried through to key Autumn selling season.

·      1,030 closed and forward sales and current value of forward sales pipeline is €237 million.

·     Despite disruption, guiding modestly in excess of 700 closed sales, a gross margin of c. 16.3% and an operating profit of c.   €20 million for FY20.

·      Company ambitious for future prospects.

Commenting on the results, Michael Stanley, Co-Founder and CEO, said:

 

"I'm proud of the resilience and extraordinary professionalism that my colleagues and all of the people working across our sites have demonstrated in spades during the first half of the year. The fact that Cairn was profitable in the first half, when our sites were closed for two months due to Covid-19, is testament to their flexibility and commitment to getting the job done to a continually high standard in a safe working environment."

 

"As we look forward, I am not surprised by our sales momentum over the summer months which has carried through into the autumn selling season, with our current forward sales pipeline valued at €237 million. The underlying pent-up demand for home ownership in Ireland has increased as a consequence of the lockdown. This experience has definitely changed people's priorities and owning their own space in a well-designed, energy efficient A-rated new home has become paramount to many."

 

"I'm pleased to see the Government's commitment to put home building at the heart of its policy programme, particularly their emphasis on affordable housing and supporting aspiring home owners more generally."

 

"Despite the lingering uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, we look forward with confidence given the scale and responsiveness of our platform, the quality of our new homes and the sustained interest of buyers."          

 

Operational

·    Our primary focus has been on operating and maintaining safe environments for our employees, subcontractors, suppliers, customers and the communities in which we live and work. All site based staff have been fully remobilised. Despite qualifying for funding support, the Company decided not to avail of Government pandemic-related support during the period.

·     At half year, we are active on 15 sites, including three new 2020 site commencements supporting over 2,000 full-time jobs. All residential construction sites, which closed on 27 March 2020 in line with Irish Government guidelines, reopened on 18 May 2020. Two new site commencements are scheduled to commence in Q4 2020.

·    We are now achieving c. 85% of pre-pandemic productivity levels and driving further efficiencies as capacity levels have increased in response to the level of demand for our new homes and growth plans.

·     Closed 207 new homes sales and generated total revenues of €80.9 million in the first half of the year. Sales have gathered momentum over the summer months and our year to date closed sales and current forward sales pipeline is now 1,030 new homes as at 09 September 2020, of which 350 are expected to close in 2021.

·     We enter the second half of the year with a platform and increased construction work in progress ("WIP") investment to be able to respond to all demand this year and into 2021. This is illustrated by our current forward sales pipeline which has a sales value of €237.0 million, despite three months of very limited sales activity due to the shutdown. International institutional capital is still viewing Ireland as a good investment location for multifamily private rental sector ("PRS") investment.

·     Approach to customer-focused product innovation has intensified through continually advancing and improving design and construction methodologies as customers now view their family home as a place to both live and work in close proximity to recreational and other amenity facilities.

Financial

·      Revenue of €80.9 million (H1 2019: €192.4 million), including €69.7 million revenue from new homes sold (H1 2019: €175.3 million). 207 closed sales in the half year at an average selling price ("ASP") of €337,000[1] (H1 2019: 390 closed sales at an ASP of €449,000). Our starter home ASP in the period was €322,000 (H1 2019: €321,000).

·    Gross profit of €13.0 million (H1 2019: €35.7 million) delivering a gross margin of 16.1% (H1 2019: 18.6%). Reduced gross margin includes additional costs associated with the pandemic with residential construction sites closed for two months, increased site management and preliminary costs from extended construction programmes and product mix impacts.

·     Operating profit of €5.8 million (H1 2019: €27.3 million) and an operating margin of 7.1% (H1 2019: 14.2%) after operating expenses of €7.3 million (H1 2019: €8.4 million). With a disciplined approach to cost and cash management, we maintained profitability despite production and sales constraints faced during and after two-month site closures in H1 2020.

·    Strong, well-capitalised balance sheet with inventories of €957.7 million. Our continued investment in WIP in H1, which increased by €56.8 million in the period, underpins management's confidence and ambitions for the future of the business. 

·    Net debt of €186.8 million (31 December 2019: €91.2 million), reflecting investment in our growth strategy. During the   period,  we also allocated €23.8 million to the share repurchase programme (which was suspended in March) and made a   €20.0 million land investment in the adjoining Clonburris site acquisition announced on 28 November 2019.

·   Our business also maintains an advantageous liquidity position with gross cash at 30 June 2020 of €155.6 million (31 December 2019: €56.8 million) to fund the expansion of the business into 2021 and beyond. A number of cashflow mitigation measures were implemented during H1 2020, including the suspension of ordinary dividends and our €60.0 million share buyback programme, while Executive Directors will forgo any cash bonuses which may have been payable in respect of our performance in 2020.

·     While remaining focused on managing our cash and liquidity position, the Company is also investing in growth as evidenced by our H1 WIP investment and the announcement released separately today in relation to the proposed acquisition of the Esmonde Motors site which adjoins our existing Blakes site in Stillorgan (Dublin).

 

Outlook

·     The supply of new homes into the Irish housing market is likely to be impacted in 2020 and into 2021 as the broader industry reacts to the pandemic, exacerbating the housing crisis. Cairn has reopened all 15 active residential construction sites and continues to invest in site commencements which will deliver growth into 2021 and beyond. The robust level of demand witnessed since lockdown was expected, particularly from first time buyers for our competitively priced starter homes, and our forward sales pipeline will be enhanced by the ongoing Autumn selling season, including three new sales launches scheduled in September and October 2020.

·     Despite the significant disruption to our construction and marketing activities in H1, Cairn is guiding modestly in excess of 700 closed sales, a gross margin of c. 16.3% and an operating profit of c. €20 million for the full year. This guidance is presented on the assumption that our construction and sales activities can continue to operate in a safe manner for the remainder of the financial year. While there remains some uncertainty given Covid-19 and the economic backdrop, we have a healthy level of contracted forward sales into 2021.

·     We remain positive for the future prospects of our business and determined to successfully navigate any uncertainty and to deliver growth and increasing sustainable returns over the medium term. This is supported by our agile business model, mature operating platform across low and high density new homes, strong balance sheet, established subcontractor relationships and the strengthening of our talented team and workforce with a number of key appointments since the start of 2020. Cairn has the relative advantage of a strong liquidity position to continue to invest in our growing construction activities and leverage the opportunities which our scale and strategic positioning will present in the coming years. This will ensure we return to being a significantly cash generative business with growing profitability and a clear focus on a sustainable, long-term future.

 

For further information, contact:

 

Cairn Homes plc                                                                                                                                                                 +353 1 696 4600

Michael Stanley, Co-Founder and CEO

Shane Doherty, Chief Financial Officer

Ian Cahill, Head of Finance

Declan Murray, Head of Investor Relations

 

Drury Communications                                                                                                                                                    +353 1 260 5000

Billy Murphy

Louise Walsh                                                                     

 

Finsbury                                                                                                                                                                             +44 207 251 3801

Gordon Simpson

Charles O'Brien

 

An analyst and investor call will be hosted by Michael Stanley, Co-Founder and CEO, and Shane Doherty, Chief Financial Officer, today 10 September 2020 at 8.30am (BST). Please use the numbers below, quoting the following PIN: 67756805#:

 

         Ireland

         UK

         US

·      Toll free:  1800 948 241

 

·        Toll free:  0800 358 9473

 

·      Toll free:  1855 857 0686

 

 

 

         International

 

 

 

 

·       Toll:  +353 (1) 431 1252

 

Notes to Editors       

Cairn Homes plc ("Cairn") is the leading Irish homebuilder committed to building high-quality, competitively-priced, sustainable new homes in great locations. At Cairn, the homeowner is at the very centre of the design process and we strive to provide an unparalleled customer service throughout each stage of the home-buying journey. A new Cairn home is thoughtfully designed and built to last with a focus on creating shared spaces and environments where communities prosper. Cairn owns a c. 17,000 unit land bank across 35 residential development sites, over 90% of which are located in the Greater Dublin Area ("GDA") with excellent public transport and infrastructure links. Cairn is today building on 15 sites in the GDA, which will deliver over 6,750 new homes.

 

 

Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this announcement are forward-looking. They represent our expectations for our business and involve risks and uncertainties. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future events. We believe that our expectations and assumptions with respect to these forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which are in some cases beyond our control, our actual results or performance may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document and no obligation is undertaken, save as required by law, by the Listing Rules of Euronext Dublin or by the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority, to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.
 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE STATEMENT

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGY

 

The Company's objective is to be the leading Irish homebuilder by building in great locations and creating places and homes where people love to live. By using our low-cost land bank across our 35 housing and apartment sites as the foundation for a long-term homebuilding business, Cairn is maximising the opportunities to capitalise on the pent-up demand which exists in the Irish new homes residential property market. This strategy is supported by our vision to be the most trusted and safest homebuilder in Ireland and is being achieved by operating our business under five strategic pillars:

 

Customers - deliver the best customer experience and gain their trust;

Homes - design and build high-quality, sustainable and market appropriate homes;

Places - create places for communities to prosper;

People - attract and retain the best people and external resources and ensure they can do their best work; and

Operational - create a commercial and profitable operating platform to turn land into great places to live.

 

As a homebuilder of scale, in the year to date Cairn has demonstrated the resilience of our operations in maintaining  functionality during and after our residential construction site closures. During this time we:  

 

·   Continued to expand our team in line with our growth plans pivoting our efforts during this period to progress our continuous learning and innovation agenda;

·     Maintained capacity through remote working and established a Business Continuity Group which focuses on the health and safety of our people and ensured a safe and incident-free return to all operational sites; and

·     Strengthened our supply chain relationships and partners through continuous engagement and supportive financial and strategic initiatives.

 

The combination of our operating model and supporting culture has enabled the Company to become the leading homebuilder in Ireland in the short period since our IPO in 2015. Our "Better Ways to Build" initiative has been established to ensure this competitive advantage continues into the future. This initiative is focused on driving further operational excellence and efficiencies; our innovation agenda; and fostering deeper partnerships across our stakeholder groups.

 

Cairn's approach to capital allocation, through a timely and well executed acquisition strategy in 2015 and 2016, a period representing a low point in land values in the last few decades, together with the successful scaling of our business has resulted in over 3,500 customers choosing a new Cairn home to date. Our landbank comprises of suburban and commuter belt low-density housing sites (c. 12,000 units at an average historic site cost of €32,000 per unit, including c. 8,400 starter home units at an average historic site cost of €22,000 per unit) and city centre, suburban and commuter belt high-density apartment sites (c. 5,000 units at an average historic site cost of c. €60,000 per unit).

 

The Company is committed to building homes and creating places that contribute positively to communities and society and minimise our impact on the environment. As we move to a more long-term Sustainability Agenda, we are transitioning our four CSR pillars - community, environment, people and industry - to align with ESG criteria as our central standards in measuring our environmental and societal impact. Cairn is dedicated to providing considered, well-designed and healthy spaces that improve quality of life through an enduring commitment to responsible and sustainable development and the environment in which we operate. This commitment was acknowledged through the recent award of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark accreditation which recognises issuers who generate over 50% of their total revenue from environmentally positive goods, products and services.

With our approach to sustainability and our focus on innovation informing both our construction activities and our design-led approach, the foundations are laid for Cairn to be the leading homebuilder in Ireland into the long-term:

 

·     Starter Homes: ideally positioned to capitalise on demand from first time buyers for competitively priced starter homes. First time buyers are our core market with over 50% (8,300 units) of our landbank priced between €250,000 and €350,000 (incl. VAT). Only 16% of all new homes in Ireland are owned by people under the age of 39, while this same cohort accounts for 58% of all homes rented;

·    Multifamily PRS: now an established asset class in Ireland. The Company has secured over €345 million (incl. VAT) in multifamily PRS completed and forward sales to date, and in doing so has demonstrated our agility and operational capability in responding to a broadening buyer pool. Demand from domestic and international institutional investors, who are seeking a long term exposure to the Irish residential sector, for well located, well-designed and quality built multifamily PRS new homes persists. A number of high profile transactions have been reported over the last six months in city centre, suburban and commuter belt locations. Cairn's industry leading track record in this asset class highlights the potential opportunities available to the Company across all of our sites in this asset class over the coming years; and

·     Affordable Housing: the new Government has committed to putting affordability at the heart of the housing system and in doing so will prioritise the increased supply of public, social and affordable homes. It also recognises the important role the private sector will play in the delivery of much needed social and affordable housing. With the price points within our landbank, our market leading track record and scalable operating model, we look forward to being able to partner with Government and being an integral part of the solution.

 

Our strategy is to capitalise on the underlying potential in the Irish residential property market by building in great locations and creating places and high quality competitively priced homes where people love to live. Our performance in the year to date has demonstrated that, notwithstanding the uncertain near-term outlook, we are continuing to execute our strategy and have strategically positioned our business to leverage the ongoing opportunities which exist in the Irish new homes residential property market.

 

FINANCIAL REVIEW

 

Revenues in H1 2020 were €80.9 million (H1 2019: €192.4 million), including €69.7 million revenue from new homes sold (H1 2019: €175.3 million) and €11.0 million from other development site sales (H1 2019: €16.2 million). 207 closed sales in the half year at an average selling price ("ASP") of €337,000 (H1 2019: 390 closed sales at an ASP of €449,000). Our starter home ASP in the period was €322,000 (H1 2019: €321,000).

 

Gross profit in H1 2020 of €13.0 million (H1 2019: €35.7 million) delivering a gross margin of 16.1% (H1 2019: 18.6%). Reduced gross margin includes additional costs associated with the pandemic with residential construction sites closed for two months, increased site management and preliminary costs from extended construction programmes and product mix impacts.

 

Operating profit in H1 2020 of €5.8 million (H1 2019: €27.3 million) and an operating margin of 7.1% (H1 2019: 14.2%) after operating expenses of €7.3 million (H1 2019: €8.4 million). With a disciplined approach to cost and cash management, we maintained profitability despite production and sales constraints faced during and after two month site closures in H1 2020.

 

Finance costs for the period reduced to €4.5 million (H1 2019: €5.5 million), reflecting both a lower average cost of funds and higher drawings under committed debt facilities compared to the same period last year.

 

Profit after tax for the period was €1.2 million (H1 2019: €18.7 million), resulting in earnings per share of 0.16 cent (H1 2019: 2.37 cent).

Inventories as at 30 June 2020 of €957.7 million (31 December 2019: €897.3 million) comprising land held for development of €696.4 million (31 December 2019: €692.8 million) and WIP of €261.3 million (31 December 2019: €204.5 million). The small increase in land held for development is primarily as a result of the completion of the acquisition of a site at Clonburris in January 2020, the disposal of a site at Parkside in April 2020 and the release of land held relating to the 207 unit sales in the period. Our continued investment in WIP in H1, which increased by €56.8 million in the period, underpins management's confidence and ambitions for the future growth of the business. This will begin to unwind in H2 2020.

Net debt of €186.8 million as at 30 June 2020 (31 December 2019: €91.2 million) comprised of drawn debt of €342.4 million (net of unamortised arrangement fees and issue costs) (31 December 2019: €148.0 million) and available cash of €155.6 million (31 December 2019: €56.8 million). Total spend on construction work in progress for the six-month period amounted to €105.0 million (H1 2019: €147.7 million), reflecting the two-month site shut down.

 

The €95.6 million increase in net debt in H1 was predominantly driven by reduced sales volumes, which are expected to increase considerably in future trading periods, and therefore we would not expect that run rate movement to occur in future periods as sale volumes and WIP production delta levels even out. Our continued investment in WIP in H1, which increased by €56.8m, will serve the business well in H2 and 2021 with a pipeline of completed product to service the ongoing housing supply shortage more broadly in Ireland.  Other H1 movements included €23.8 million share repurchases and the €20.0 million balancing payment on the Clonburris site acquisition.

 

Cairn maintains an advantageous liquidity position in the sector. In addition, a number of cashflow mitigation measures were implemented during H1 2020, including the suspension of ordinary dividends and our €60 million share buyback programme, and Executive Directors will forgo any cash bonuses which may have been payable in respect of the Company's performance in FY20.

On 25 March 2020, the Board withdrew its intention to pay a final 2019 dividend of 2.75 cent per share. As a result, no dividend was paid during the period. On the same date, the Company also announced the suspension of its €60 million share buyback programme which commenced on 13 September 2019. The programme remains suspended. As at 25 March 2020, the Company had repurchased 39,449,108 shares at an average purchase price of €1.17. All repurchased shares have been cancelled.

 

OUR CUSTOMERS

 

Cairn delivered 207 closed sales in H1 2020 across 11 developments at an ASP of €337,000 comprising 206 houses at an ASP of €337,000 and 1 apartment at an ASP of €348,000 (H1 2019: 390 closed sales across seven developments at an ASP of €449,000 comprising 228 houses at an ASP of €337,000 and 162 apartments at an ASP of €608,000). The ASP in H1 2020 across our starter home sites was €322,000 (H1 2019: €321,000) starting at very competitive entry level price points from €275,000.

 

Starter homes are our core product offering and this is the largest of our addressable markets in Ireland where c. 168,000 couples and c. 80,000 individuals who can afford to buy a new home priced between €250,000 and €375,000 (source: Revenue.ie). Our strategy in recent years has been to focus on lowering starter home scheme entry price points by introducing more duplex units, which accounted for c. 30% of our H1 completions, and to price our starter homes to sell at volume and at price points where first time buyers can access mortgages.

 

Sales have gathered momentum over the summer months and our year to date closed sales and current forward sales pipeline is now 1,030 new homes as at 09 September 2020. We had a positive start to the 2020 spring selling season as the strong momentum from our exceptional performance in 2019 continued, prior to the closure of our show homes on 27 March in line with Irish Government guidelines. A number of scheduled spring sales launches were postponed until late summer and early autumn, and while the level of sales activity fell significantly, our online sales platforms, including virtual reality tours, ensured reservations remained marginally ahead of cancellations in advance of the reopening of our show homes, by appointment only, on 8 June 2020. Viewings of our show homes remain by appointment only and the timing of a return to normal functioning marketing activities, with open viewings for new sales launches, remains uncertain.

 

The entire sales process from initial viewing to final snagging is currently managed through new viewing, snagging, valuation and closing procedures by our sales consultants and customer care team, all overseen by a health and safety adviser, throughout each step of the viewing and closing process, observing social distancing and hygiene protocols. After each visit by a customer, their surveyor or valuer, our new homes are deep cleaned and sanitised by professional cleaners. Cairn continues to provide our market leading after-sales service through our dedicated customer care line and team of maintenance operatives. Our customer care line functionality was expanded in May 2020 to include a "Cairn Covid-19 Helpline", supported by our health and safety team, providing additional guidance and support to all of our customers.

 

The robust level of underlying demand and our sales performance since our show homes reopened in June was expected, including new sales launches at Parkside (Malahide Road), Graydon (Newcastle) and Shackleton Park (Lucan). Our focus on competitively priced, high quality new homes for first time buyers has meant that recent selling prices are broadly in line our pre-Covid-19 levels. Our forward sales pipeline will be enhanced by the ongoing Autumn selling season and a number of scheduled sales launches in September and October 2020.

 

The Company continued the phased delivery of contracted multifamily PRS units to Carysfort Capital / Angelo Gordon at Shackleton Park and Gandon Park (Lucan - contracted to sell 229 apartments, duplexes and houses for €78.8 million, incl. VAT, with a phased delivery from December 2019) and to Urbeo / Starwood at Mariavilla (Maynooth - contracted to sell 150 apartments, duplexes and houses for €53.5 million, incl. VAT, with a phased delivery from December 2019). The phased delivery of 282 apartments at The Quarter in Citywest (Dublin 24) to Urbeo / Starwood Capital for €94 million, incl. VAT, will commence in late 2020.

 

Transactional activity in the PRS multifamily sector was impacted somewhat by the pandemic, and more particularly site closures across the industry, in H1 2020, however a number of significant new build transactions were contracted in the market in Q2 2020, totalling c. €90 million, with three large transactions reported in Q3 2020 to date for in excess of €380 million. Institutional demand continues to be driven by strong demographics, the lack of suitable rental accommodation in the Greater Dublin Area and a growing supply demand imbalance with the supply of new homes likely to fall to c. 14,000 new homes in 2020 from 21,133 new homes delivered in 2019. With a long-term land bank containing c. 17,000 housing, duplex and apartment units and strong ongoing demand from domestic and international institutional investors for new, well-designed apartment and duplex blocks in city centre, suburban and commuter belt locations from established counterparties, the Company continues to see significant demand from the multifamily PRS sector for our well located apartment and housing sites.

 

  

PRODUCTION

 

All of our residential construction sites closed on 27 March 2020 in line with Irish Government guidelines. As these restrictions were eased, our 15 active sites reopened on 18 May 2020 on a phased basis managed through a detailed return to work strategy initiative, with all site and construction personnel remobilised on a staggered basis ensuring that social distancing and all new necessary protocols, procedures and work practices were implemented in accordance with our return to work strategy. These health and safety measures, which will remain in place as long as social distancing has to be respected, have led to a new way of working and operating our residential construction sites. From an efficiency perspective, construction programmes have been extended and productivity levels have been impacted, resulting in increased site management and preliminary costs. When our sites reopened, our productivity levels were c. 60% of pre-Covid rates, however through the efficiency of our operations, the dedication of our site teams and in collaboration with our supply chain, Cairn is now achieving c. 85% of pre-pandemic productivity levels and driving further efficiencies to improve productivity while continuing to adhere to social distancing practices.

 

One of the Company's primary objectives during the period our residential construction sites were temporarily closed was to maintain the financial and operational integrity and resilience of our established and loyal subcontractor and supplier base. Having invested heavily in our supply chain since our IPO, we immediately engaged with all of our subcontractors and suppliers and assisted in critical cash flow management (by accelerating the payment of €23 million in March payments), maintaining regular communication to ensure all were as prepared as possible to recommence construction activities and committing to reopen all closed residential sites, in addition to providing clarity on future work pipelines and planned site commencements. Additionally, Cairn launched a €5 million support scheme in early April 2020 for self-employed individuals working for our subcontractors and suppliers to forward pay, through its subcontractors and suppliers, €250 per week to each self-employed worker availing of the new scheme to supplement their existing arrangements for a period of up to 12 weeks. The Company's response to the crisis  has further promoted our partnership approach and strategy to be a long-term sustainable business which clearly demonstrates the  security and benefits which our business model provides now and into the future for our subcontractors and supply chain.

 

Cairn is today active on 15 sites which will deliver c. 6,750 new homes. The Company is supporting over 2,000 full-time jobs across our active sites, including direct employees, subcontractors and other sector professionals. Cairn commenced construction on four sites in H1 2020, including three new site commencements: starter home housing sites at Graydon (Newcastle), Whitethorn (Naas) and Parkside (Malahide Road) and a trade-up/down housing site at Archers Wood (Delgany). One new site commencement and a new phase of an existing site are scheduled to commence in Q4 2020. The Company also completed the construction of our starter home development at Edenbrook (Dublin 24) during H1 2020.

 

Cairn has a current committed procurement order book of €350 million on active sites (orders placed and prices fixed on labour and materials) and our top 20 subcontractors account for 65% of all procurement since IPO (an average of €26 million each), working across an average of ten developments each. The Company has fixed price contracts in place across all of our active construction sites - 97% of our 2020 and 78% of our 2021 construction costs on these active sites are fixed.

 

The Company obtained full planning permission for 1,595 units in H1 2020 (H1 2019: 841 units) from six separate successful grants of planning. In addition, Cairn currently has seven planning applications, comprising c. 2,600 residential units, in the single-step Strategic Housing Development ("SHD") planning process with more applications which are currently at the design and masterplanning stage due to be submitted through this process over the coming months.

 

The Company's site acquisition strategy remains opportunistic, including acquiring land adjoining existing sites and exploring further joint venture and partnership opportunities. Expenditure on site acquisitions amounted to €21.9 million in H1 2020 (H1 2019: €9.0 million), principally relating to the completion of the acquisition of the additional 97 acres of development land within Clonburris SDZ, as announced on 28 November 2019. Cairn also acquired NAMA's minority interest in the 14.5 acre site adjoining Parkside (Malahide Road) in July 2020.

 

PRODUCT INNOVATION

 

The Company's focus on customer-focused product innovation has intensified following Covid-19 as we believe the experiences of our existing and prospective customers have placed a greater emphasis on the importance of delivering high quality residential accommodation. Our customers now expect much more from their new homes as many people will view the family home as a place to both live and work in close proximity to recreational and other amenity facilities.

 

Cairn is currently looking at ways to continue to innovate for this new reality. This includes design changes to our internal housing layouts for optionality of dedicated working areas both on ground floor and first floor levels. It includes allowance for future proofing infrastructure for garden office pods. It considers improved amenity space and the addition of dedicated business accommodation in our apartment complexes. We are also engaging with technology companies to look at ways to improve the experience of working at home and enhancing connectivity and broadband resilience. Our belief is that the current crisis will, in the medium term, increase both our customers' expectations and their desire to own a well-designed, multi-functional, and quality built family home.

 

Cairn also continues to seek more efficient ways to build our new homes through the adoption of further off-site manufactured ("OSM") methodologies, including the recent introduction of garden office pods to complement existing OSM practices including timber-frame construction used in all of our new housing and duplex developments and bathroom pods in our apartment developments, in addition to other efficient and modern methods of construction such as steel frame structures and pre-cast construction elements. The Company is also investing in our broader procurement strategy, focusing on category and supplier relationship management within our supply chain as key areas to deliver further resilience, improved collaboration and innovation within our dedicated procurement function.

 

ECONOMY

 

There has been a very significant impact on all businesses in Ireland following the Covid-19 outbreak and it remains difficult to predict how the Irish economy will perform overall in 2020. Recent data demonstrates that the Irish economy has started to recover from the significant shock of the April and May 2020 lockdown with current forecasts estimating GDP will contract by up to 10.5% in 2020 (source: Department of Finance) following average annual GDP growth of 9% in the 6 years to 2019 (source: CSO). GDP is forecast to grow by 6.0% in 2021 (source: Department of Finance). Unemployment remains high, with the COVID-19 Adjusted Measure of Unemployment at 15.4% in August 2020 if all claimants of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment were classified as unemployed, down from a peak of 28.8% in April 2020 (source: CSO).

 

Residential property prices increased 0.1% in the year to June 2020 (source: CSO) - prices in Dublin declined 0.7% in the same period, with house prices falling 0.9% and apartment prices increasing by 2.4%. Dublin property prices remain 22.7% below their previous peak in February 2007. Rents increased 1.0% in the year to July 2020 (source: Daft.ie) and the difference in the cost of owning a Cairn starter home in Dublin compared to the cost of renting the same home remains stark - it is 41% cheaper to own than rent.

 

While mortgage applications and drawdowns declined significantly during and immediately after lockdown, recent mortgage data suggests activity and access to mortgages is improving from the low points of the lockdown. First time buyer mortgage approvals (by volume) increased 78% month on month in July following a 24% increase in June, while there were 50% (July) and 20% (June) increases recorded for the market overall (source: BPFI). There were 1,883 mortgage approvals for first time buyers in July 2020, which is down 29% on July 2019. First time buyer drawdowns for new homes in H1 2020 were down 12% in volume and 9% in value compared with H1 2019. With consensus estimates for total mortgage drawdowns of c. €7 billion in 2020 (source: Goodbody, Davy), some 27% below 2019 levels, it appears that to date first time buyers have not been as impacted by the pandemic as other participants in the mortgage market. Strengthening July 2020 first time buyer approval statistics suggest more resilience in the first time buyer market.

 

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES

 

The new Irish coalition Government was formed on 27 June 2020 and their Programme for Government ("PFG") seeks to urgently tackle the housing crisis with an emphasis on new builds and to "put affordability at the heart of the housing system".

 

As part of the Government's €7.4 billion July Stimulus package of measures implemented to stimulate Ireland's economy, the existing Help to Buy scheme was expanded with the maximum claim amount increased to €30,000 (previously €20,000) to fund up to 10% (previously 5%) of the purchase price of new homes only up to a maximum purchase price of €500,000. The enhanced Help to Buy scheme means that for new homes priced at €300,000 or below, the need to save for a deposit has effectively been removed subject to qualification for the Help to Buy income tax rebate. The enhanced scheme will run until 31 December 2020 and the Government has committed in the PFG to retain and expand the Help to Buy scheme for new homes for the lifetime of the Government.

 

The Government will also bring forward a target for the delivery of affordable homes over the lifetime of the Government as a priority, most likely through the Land Development Agency, in a policy initiative which will be widely welcomed.

 

Cairn is disappointed that the PFG does not propose to extend the SHD planning process beyond its legislative expiry on 31 December 2021, having secured planning for over 4,300 new homes through this fast-track process, of which in excess of 3,000 new homes are built or under construction. The SHD planning process is one of the most impactful measures introduced by the last Government and one of drivers behind Cairn's growth in the 2017-2019 period. The many benefits brought to the planning regime by the SHD process should be considered as part of any future solution. With our successful track record and current planning pipeline, we expect all of our relevant landbank sites will have been through the process by the end of 2021.

 

PRINCIPAL RISKS & UNCERTAINTIES

 

Details of the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company can be found in the Risk Report which was included in the 2019 Annual Report. These risks, in particular pandemic risk, economic conditions, mortgage availability and affordability, government policy and health and safety remain the most likely to affect Cairn in the second half of the current year. The Company actively identifies, assesses, monitors and manages these and all other risks through its control and risk management processes. Our risk agenda and outlook has been significantly tested in recent months and the Company's processes and business model has withstood these uncertainties well. We will continue to actively assess changes in the external environment on events which could change our risk assessment and profile throughout the remainder of the financial year.

 

OUTLOOK

 

Cairn remains positive for the future prospects of our business and determined to successfully navigate any uncertainty and to deliver growth and increasing sustainable returns over the medium term. This is supported by our agile business model, mature operating platform across low and high density new homes, strong balance sheet, established subcontractor relationships and the strengthening of our talented team and workforce with a number of key appointments since the start of 2020. Cairn has the relative advantage of a strong liquidity position to continue to invest in our growing construction activities and leverage the opportunities which our scale and strategic positioning will present in the coming years. This will ensure we return to being a significantly cash generative business with growing profitability and a clear focus on a sustainable, long-term future.

 

  

CAIRN HOMES PLC

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES IN RESPECT OF THE HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT

For the six month period ended 30 June 2020

 

The Directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Transparency (Directive 2004/109/EC) Regulations 2007 ("the Transparency Directive"), and the Transparency Rules of the Central Bank of Ireland.

 

In preparing the condensed set of financial statements included within the half-yearly financial report, the Directors are required to:

-   prepare and present the condensed set of financial statements in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU, the Transparency Directive, and the Transparency Rules of the Central Bank of Ireland;

-     ensure the condensed set of financial statements has adequate disclosures;

-     select and apply appropriate accounting policies; and

-     make accounting estimates that are reasonable in the circumstances.

 

The Directors are responsible for designing, implementing and maintaining such internal controls as they determine are necessary to enable the preparation of the condensed set of financial statements that is free from material misstatement whether due to fraud or error.

 

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 

(1)   the condensed set of consolidated financial statements included within the half-yearly financial report of Cairn Homes plc ("the Company") for the six months ended 30 June 2020 ("the interim financial information") which comprises the condensed consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income, condensed consolidated statement of financial position, condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity, condensed consolidated statement of cash flows and the related explanatory notes, have been presented and prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU, the Transparency Directive, and the Transparency Rules of the Central Bank of Ireland.

 

(2)   The interim financial information presented, as required by the Transparency Directive, includes:

a.    an indication of important events that have occurred during the first 6 months of the financial year, and their impact on the condensed set of consolidated financial statements;

b.     a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining 6 months of the financial year;

c.     related party transactions that have taken place in the first 6 months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or the performance of the enterprise during that period; and

d.    any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could have a material effect on the financial position or performance of the enterprise in the first 6 months of the current financial year.

 

 

On behalf of the board

 

 

 

Michael Stanley                                                                          John Reynolds

Chief Executive Officer                                                             Chairman

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAIRN HOMES PLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

For the six month period ended 30 June 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For six month period ended 30 June 2020

 

For six month period ended 30 June 2019

 

                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note

€'000

 

 

Continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

2

80,940

 

192,355

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

(67,915)

 

(156,651)

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,025

 

35,704

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Administrative expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,256)

 

(8,372)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating profit

 

 

 

 

 

 

5,769

 

27,332

 

                     

Finance costs

 

 

 

 

 

3

(4,531)

 

(5,548)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,238

 

 

Tax charge

 

 

 

 

 

4

(39)

 

(3,115)

 

 

Profit for the period

 

 

 

 

 

1,199

 

 

18,669

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income for the period

 

 

 

 

 

1,199

 

18,669

 

 

Profit attributable to:

Owners of the Company                                        

Non-controlling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,199

-

 

 

 

18,672

(3)

 

Profit for the period

 

 

 

 

 

1,199

 

18,669

 

 

Basic earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

12

 

0.16 cent

 

 

2.37 cent

 

Diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

 

12

0.16 cent

 

2.37 cent

 

                   

 

CAIRN HOMES PLC

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)

As at 30 June 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30 June 2020

 

31 Dec 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaudited

 

Audited

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Note

€'000

 

€'000

 

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

1,707

 

1,976

 

Right of use assets

 

 

 

902

 

1,083

 

Intangible assets

 

 

 

601

 

673

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,210

 

3,732

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

 

5

957,650

 

897,259

 

Trade and other receivables

 

 

6

11,350

 

11,701

 

Current taxation

 

 

 

2,113

 

655

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

7

155,637

 

56,810

 

 

 

 

1,126,750

 

966,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

 

 

 

 

1,129,960

 

970,157

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share capital

 

 

 

 

8

788