Final Results for the year to 31 December 2013

M Winkworth Plc ("Winkworth" or the "Company")

Audited final results for the year to 31 December 2013

FINANCIAL HEADLINES

§ Sales up by 15.2% to £4.94 million (2012: £4.29 million)

§ Profit before taxation up by 57.9% to £1.69 million (2012: £1.07 million)

§ Basic earnings per ordinary share 10.05p (2012: 5.96p)

§ Cash generated from operations of £2.18 million (2012: £1.15 million)

§ Final interim dividend of 1.4p bringing the total dividend payable for the year to 5.4p per ordinary share (2012: 4.9p)

Business Highlights

§ Franchised offices sales up 19% on 2012 to £46 million

§ Four new offices opened 

§ London property sales accounted for 80% of the group total

§ 31% increase in revenues from country offices

§ Lettings and management sales up by 36% in the country, 7% in London and 8% overall

Dominic Agace, Chief Executive Office of the Company, commented:

"After dynamic growth in the residential property market in 2013 we expect further improvement in 2014 and a significant increase in transactions as these move back towards their historic peak some 27% above last year's level." 

The strategy which we adopted during the downturn, of opening new offices in key locations outside of London where transactions were most depressed, is starting to pay dividends. The country markets are showing a marked recovery and, as a result, we expect activity there to grow particularly strongly.

We look forward to extending our presence and growing our market share with the opening of new offices and this year's launch of a database management centre."

        Chairman's Statement

2013 was an excellent year for Winkworth and this success has gathered momentum in the opening months of 2014. Last year we progressed with our plan to increase the number of offices and were in a position to help many of our franchisees grow in both stature and local presence, enabling us to take advantage of a strengthening market. 

On a personal note, the month of May 2014 marks the 40^th year of my directorship at Winkworth. I am pleased to have seen how over time the management has grown the business so successfully from its original platform. Winkworth adopted the franchising model in 1981, when I recognised that in order to obtain the full benefit of the brand we needed to expand the talent within the organisation. The company has grown ever since and, following the company's successful admission to AIM in 2009, management has gone from strength to strength. By improving our skills and our offering we have been able to provide tremendous benefits to our franchisees, thus helping the whole group to grow.

During the course of 2013, Tony Snarey, who joined Winkworth as a non-executive director prior to its flotation, decided to retire and we thank him for his hard work and confidence in the business. We intend to appoint another non-executive director to the board in due course and will update the market at the appropriate time.

I am delighted that Winkworth is set for another strong year in terms of growth in both sales and rental volumes. With the benefit of having witnessed many property cycles over the years, I would stress that despite this upturn in the market we will not be tempted into taking equity positions in our franchises or acquiring offices. This would not only increase our overheads and create the need for more staff but would also divert us from our business model. Winkworth will remain true to its key objective of providing a first-class service to its franchisees and their clients

CEO's Statement

While the number of residential transactions in England increased by a further 15% in 2013, from 803,800 to 927,850, these still remained 27% off their 2007 peak level of 1,273,510. Against this improving background Winkworth's total franchisee turnover rose by 19% to £46.3 million (£39.1 million), with revenues generated from property sales growing by 25% to £30.2 million (£24.2 million) and rental income increasing by 8% to £16.1 million (£14.9 million).

Winkworth's turnover rose to £4.94 million, an increase of 15.2% on the 2012 level of £4.29 million. At £1.69 million, profits before tax were 57.9% higher than 2012's result of £1.07 million. Operational cash flow remained strong at £2.18 million (£1.15 million), allowing an increased dividend for the year of 5.4p per share compared to 4.9p in 2012.

Momentum in property sales continued to build throughout the year, with activity quickening in the second half. The number of transactions picked up month by month, with a 9% increase by the end of the first half of 2013 rising to 18% by year end. In particular, demand continued to outstrip supply in the outer ring of London where activity was strong and prices moved up sharply. Interest in central London was sustained, with transactions growing by 10% year-on-year as buyers continued to be attracted by London's status as the leading international city in which to own a home. Currency also continued to weigh in favour of many international investors.

By the end of 2013, the ongoing recovery also became increasingly apparent outside of London, where for the full year Winkworth's country office transactions increased by 22% and gross revenues were up 31% on 2012. This reflected the positive sentiment created by the government's 'help to buy' and 'funding for lending' schemes, which reduced the cost of borrowing and allowed many new buyers to enter the property market.

Our average property price in the country rose by 14% from £284,597 in 2012 to £325,299, reflecting the improving strength of our country proposition and the value that we are able to add to agencies joining the Winkworth network.

The overall contribution of our country franchises to our business rose from 15% in 2012 to 17% in 2013. We envisage that this trend will persist as the country market moves back towards its full potential. This fits well with our strategy of growing into markets most affected during the downturn in order to benefit from the uplift of an economic revival.

Winkworth's lettings and management business continued to perform well in 2013, growing by 8% year-on-year and representing 35% of our total income. As a result of the growing strength of the sales market, this compares with the 38% contribution recorded in 2012. The most significant increase in contribution came from our newly added country offices, where rentals were strengthened by joining the Winkworth brand. Country rentals grew by 36% compared to 7% in London.  We continue to help franchisees acquire lettings and management businesses and to invest in training and new technologies to advance this part of our business. 

In 2013 we maintained our pace of office openings with a net four new franchises opening for business. As confidence returns and estate agency managers regain their appetite for cold starts in new locations, we are seeing increasing interest from existing franchisees to open additional branches.

In order to optimise the database of applicants that are listed with Winkworth, we are planning to launch a business services centre in the second half of this year. The centre will promote our valuation services to those registered on our database and cross-refer both sales and lettings applicants between offices in order to generate incremental business.

Finally, we are accelerating the roll-out of our updated brand strategy, with 22 offices having now launched new interiors and a further 25 targeted for completion by the end of 2014. Our advertising campaign also continues, with 30 London taxis branded under the Winkworth banner and promotion in the print and online versions of the Financial Times, Sunday Times, BA Business Life, Telegraph Luxury Homes and The Economist. 

Outlook

The current year has started very well and we envisage another positive outcome for the property market in 2014, with central London prices rising by 5%, the outer ring of London where demand remains very strong by 10%, and country market prices recovering by a further 5%. We envisage that the still benign lending conditions will lead to a 15% increase in transactions on 2013.

As focus returns to the sales market we expect growth in rentals to slow, with the notable exception of prime central London where we envisage an increase in jobs in the financial sector and stronger corporate relocation budgets that will drive positive rental growth for the first time since the 2008 credit crunch.

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About Winkworth

Winkworth is a leading franchisor of residential real estate agencies and is admitted to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange.

Established in Mayfair in 1835, Winkworth has a pre-eminent position in the mid to upper segments of the central London residential sales and lettings markets. In total, the company operates from over 90 offices in the UK and Portugal, having expanded consistently in recent years.

The franchise model allows entrepreneurial real estate professionals to provide the highest standards of service under the banner of a well-respected brand name and to benefit from the support and promotion that Winkworth offers. Franchisees deliver in-depth local knowledge and a highly personalised service to their clients.

For further information please visit: www.winkworthplc.com

M WINKWORTH PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2013

M WINKWORTH PLC

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

31 DECEMBER 2013