TIDM38EO

RNS Number : 0548B

Metropolitan Funding PLC

31 May 2023

Metropolitan Funding PLC

Thames Valley Housing Association (TVHA) announcesunaudited consolidated results for the year ended 31 March 2023.

The TVHA group (trading as Metropolitan Thames Valley or MTVH), one of the UK's leading providers of affordable housing and care and support services, announces unaudited consolidated results for the year ended 31 March 2023.

Headlines

-- Underlying Operating Surplus before non-recurring (building safety-related) expenses down 15% to GBP122m (2022: GBP143m).

   --    Reported Operating Surplus is GBP109m (2022: GBP122m). Operating margin 28% (2022:30%) 
   --    Total Revenue GBP388m (2022: GBP414m) due to reduced market sale revenues. 
   --    Non-sales income 88% of total turnover (2022: 85%). 
   --    657 new homes completed (2022: 712 homes) of which 493 (2022: 326) were affordable. 
   --    GBP869m of available cash and facilities. 
   --    Net debt to EBITDA 11.6x (2022: 11.4x). 
   --    S&P credit rating A- (negative outlook) and A Stable from Fitch Rating. 
   --    RSH grading G1/V2. 
   --    No changes to the Board. 
   --    Kush Rawal appointed Executive Director of Customer Services. 

Geeta Nanda, Chief Executive of Metropolitan Thames Valley, commented:

" This year, we have maintained our robust financial status. The increased share of non-sales revenue reflects the Board's de-risking strategy and supports the public credit rating. Overall, Development-related activities, including the SO Resi brand and asset sales have generated a surplus of GBP45m and we have less than GBP5m unreserved stock over 90 days at 31 March 2023. MTVH's aftersales business has continued to deliver strong results posting a GBP38m surplus. Despite the high inflationary environment we have been able to control costs, with underlying Opex (excluding energy inflation impact and fire safety) up only 6% to GBP278m.

The business retains a strong liquidity position and generates significant amounts of cash from operating activities. We are pleased to have retained an A rating from Fitch Ratings and an A- rating from Standard & Poor's (S&P) Group (noting the move to negative outlook as a result of the sovereign rating down grade in Autumn 2022).

We have made further progress this year towards fulfilling the goals of our five-year strategy and serving people better every day. We spent GBP138m on maintaining existing homes and our in-house contractor, 'Metworks', continues to perform well. Meanwhile, we continue to invest in new homes, with GBP202m spent on acquiring land and building homes. As such, we are strongly placed to continue delivering good homes and quality homes services to residents, enabling more people to live well.

However, with a funding squeeze across the sector, we have had fewer resources at our disposal and built fewer homes than last year. The challenging economic and financial environment has impacted not only residents, but the entire sector including our organisation. Rising inflation has seen an increase in a variety of costs, including construction, while significant expenses such as building safety costs have reduced resources. At the same time, growing interest rates have made borrowing more costly. These challenges have contributed to a slightly reduced surplus this year.

The external environment has required us to be increasingly innovative. We have established a joint venture partnership with Legal & General Affordable Homes, which will harness the expertise of a major financial institution to deliver over 2,500 affordable homes over the next seven years in London and the South-East. Meanwhile, we have also implemented creative solutions to provide the services residents want and need. For example, we established multiple community kitchens in response to the acute cost of living crisis being experienced by so many, as well as providing comfortable 'Warm spaces' allowing people to congregate offsetting high energy costs. To this end, we have also delivered GBP3m in financial gains to residents who need help, a significant increase on last year."

Results overview

Revenue from Housing operations (including supported housing and market rent) was GBP358m (2022: GBP347m) with non-sales income representing 88% (2022: 85%) of turnover. Sales revenue was GBP30m (2022: GBP59m) with an average sales margin of 11% (2022: 16%). We built 657 new homes (2022: 712 new homes) in the year, investing GBP202m (2022: GBP161m) in new housing. Our Social Housing operating margin (excluding fire safety costs) was 28% (2022: 29%) slightly lower as a result of cost inflation, particularly with regard to energy, where we expect some recovery through service charges in future periods. Operating margin was 28% (2022: 30%) with dilutive sales margins offset by accretive post-sales margins.

Liquidity remains strong at GBP869m (2022: GBP774m). Drawn borrowings are GBP1.9bn (2022: GBP2.0bn).

Our partnership integration activities are complete, and we continue to deliver on the wider VFM savings that are embedded in our Corporate Plan.

Operations review - Customer Services (including Care and Support)

Social housing letting revenue was GBP321m (2022: GBP309m), with underlying rental income up 3.9% in line with the inflation settlement. We invested GBP30m (2022: GBP41m) in property improvements, while our overall spend on fire safety was GBP13m (2022: GBP13m net of GBP8m recovery). Our total spend on the existing estate was GBP138m (2022: GBP138m) prioritising property compliance, condition and customer satisfaction issues. Social rent arrears closed the year at 5.2% (2022: 5.1%). We continue to proactively contact vulnerable customers offering support and financial advice, as well as assisting new claimants on to Universal Credit, to limit upward pressure on arrears.

Operations review - New homes development and sales

First tranche revenues were GBP26m (2022; GBP42m). We sold 214 First Tranche units at an average 10% surplus margin (2022: 339 units at 12% margin). In addition we sold 17 outright sale units at an average underlying margin of 13% (2022: 38 units at 25%). As at 31 March 2023, MTVH held 48 unreserved completed units (2022: 168).

During the year we completed 427 staircasing transactions which delivered GBP15.7m of operating surplus at a 33% margin (2022: GBP20.3m at 36% from 455 completions). In addition, we completed 179 Homebuy loan redemption transactions, achieving GBP6.2m of operating surplus at a 44% margin (2022: GBP8.1m at a 42% margin from 237 completions). Surplus derived from Right to Buy disposals decreased by GBP0.7m to GBP2.1m and surplus from asset sales increasing to GBP14.2m (2022: GBP6.5m).

The future development pipeline remains strong at 3,858 units (2022: 5,490 units) which reflects the Board's decision to reduce the newbuild programme, particularly the market sale exposure in future years. During the year we completed the Clapham Park Joint Venture with the appointment of Countryside and have now started on site with the first phases.

Debt and facilities

Net debt (excluding derivative financial instruments) at 31 March 2023 is GBP1.7bn (2022: GBP1.8bn) following another year of good cash generation boosted by sales market and lower than expected development spend. The Net Cash Inflow for the year from Operating and Investing activities was GBP110m (2022 GBP141m).

Available liquidity (cash and committed secured undrawn facilities) is significantly higher at GBP869m (2022: GBP774m) as a result of the delivery of the asset disposals and the early receipt of cash grants. Gearing (on the Historic Cost basis) reduced to 36% (2022: 38%). Interest cover was around 1.55 times (2022: 1.71 times) on an EBITDA- MRI basis.

The Standard & Poor's credit rating was confirmed in December 2022 at A- (negative outlook) following the UK sovereign downgrade. Fitch Ratings maintained the A Stable rating from the setup of the EMTN programme in 2021.

The Board expects to announce full audited consolidated results for the year ended 31 March 2023 later in the summer.

 
                                                2023      2022       % 
                                                GBPm      GBPm 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Revenue                                       387.6     414.3     -6% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Cost of sales                                 -26.1     -48.3    -46% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Operating costs                              -286.4    -262.4      9% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Surplus from disposal of fixed assets 
  and investments                               38.2      37.5      2% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Share of Surplus from Joint Ventures            8.4       2.3    265% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Underlying Operating Surplus                  121.7     143.4    -15% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Non-recurring operating costs                 -12.6     -21.3    -40% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Operating Surplus                             109.1     122.1    -11% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Net interest payable                          -79.0     -74.9     -5% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Surplus on investment disposal                           -1.6   -100% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Fair value adjustments                          3.3      -5.3   -162% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Taxation                                                  0.4   -100% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Total Surplus                                  33.4      40.7    -18% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Actuarial gain in respect of pension 
  schemes                                       23.0      21.2      8% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Change in fair value of hedged financial 
  instruments                                   23.9      12.1     98% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Total comprehensive income for the 
  year                                          80.3      74.0      9% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 
 
 Housing properties                          4,728.5   4,617.9      2% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Investment properties and other fixed 
  assets                                       100.9     102.2     -1% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Investments                                   188.4     204.5     -8% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Net current assets                            -39.1     -17.1   -129% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Total Assets less current liabilities       4,978.7   4,907.5      1% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 
 Amounts due to be repaid in more than 
  one year                                   2,320.5   2,305.1      1% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Pension liabilities                            24.9      49.5    -50% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Capital and reserves                        2,633.3   2,552.9      3% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 Total non-current liabilities and 
  reserves                                   4,978.7   4,907.5      1% 
                                            --------  --------  ------ 
 
 
 Consolidated Statement of Cashflows for the 
  year ended 31 March 2023 (unaudited) 
                                                  2023            2022      % 
                                         -------------  --------------  ----- 
                                                  GBPm            GBPm 
                                         -------------  --------------  ----- 
 Net cash from Operating Activities              245.7           254.4    -3% 
                                         -------------  --------------  ----- 
 Net cash from Investing Activities             -135.9          -113.9   -19% 
                                         -------------  --------------  ----- 
 Net cash used in Financing Activities           -67.9          -145.2    53% 
                                         -------------  --------------  ----- 
 Net movement in cash and cash 
  equivalents                                     41.9            -4.7     NA 
                                         -------------  --------------  ----- 
 Cash and cash equivalents carried 
  forward                                        193.5           151.6    28% 
                                         -------------  --------------  ----- 
 
 
 Sales revenue and margins 
  (unaudited)                       2023               2022 
                              Revenue   Margin   Revenue   Margin 
                             --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 First Tranche                   26.0      10%      42.1      12% 
                             --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 Outright Sales                   4.4      13%      17.1      24% 
                             --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 Staircasing                     48.0      33%      55.8      36% 
                             --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 RTB / RTA                        3.8      54%       6.0      46% 
                             --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 Redemptions                     14.1      44%      19.1      42% 
                             --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 Fixed Asset Sales               45.4      31%      24.3      27% 
                             --------  -------  --------  ------- 
 

Outlook

The UK economy remains uncertain, with high inflation, rising interest rates and volatile energy costs all affecting spending and investment decisions. Inflation and Interest rates remain above BoE targets, and we are affected by the decisions of policy-makers. Our rent increase for FY24 has been capped at 7%, well below our inflation expectations, and this constrains margins. If rent increases for FY25 are capped below inflation again, this will have a further adverse effect. Similarly, the rising cost of debt will put increasing pressure on Interest Cover ratios as our fixed rate contracts expire, further reducing the capacity to deliver on our corporate objectives.

Whilst wholesale energy costs have fallen back, embedded inflation is still pushing up the cost base and salary expectations. Construction and maintenance costs are also rising relatively quickly, although we have fixed price contract mitigation for development schemes in flight.

MTVH announced in April, that as a result of the changes to the Defective Premises Act, it will not be recharging Leaseholders for fire remediation costs. The current MTVH collaborative approach to remediation has resulted in most contractors acknowledging construction failures and agreeing to remediate at their own expense or otherwise to accept the major responsibility for the costs. All non-recoverable costs including for Leaseholders, will be a charge to MTVH. In response to this rising cost pressure, which is being felt across the sector, the Board has made the decision to reduce its development programme, and in particular reducing future exposure to outright sales risk.

Enquiries

Please contact:

Donald McKenzie , Director of Corporate Finance, at donald.mckenzie@mtvh.co.uk or on (W) 0203-535-4434 or (M) 07738 714126

This information for investors is also available on our website: https://www.mtvh.co.uk/about-us/investors/

Notes

   --      Operating margin is operating surplus divided by turnover 
   --      Net debt is borrowings (excluding derivatives) less cash and cash deposits 
   --      Gearing is net borrowings divided by net housing properties at cost 

-- Interest cover is earnings before interest, tax and depreciation/amortisation less capitalised major repairs, divided by net interest costs

-- Prior year comparative figures are the unadjusted aggregate of pre-partnership entity reported results

Disclaimer

The information in this Preliminary Results announcement has been prepared by the Thames Valley Housing Association group and is for information purposes only.

The Results announcement should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any securities issued by the Parent, the Issuer or any other member of the Group, or any interest in any such securities, and nothing herein should be construed as a recommendation or advice to invest in any such securities.

This unaudited preliminary announcement contains certain 'forward-looking' statements reflecting, among other things, our current views on markets, activities and prospects. Actual and audited outcomes may differ materially. Such statements are a correct reflection of our views only on the publication date and no representation or warranty is given in relation to them, including as to their completeness or accuracy or the basis on which they were prepared. Financial results quoted are unaudited. We do not undertake to update or revise such public statements as our expectations change in response to events.

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