* First-half revenue: €220 million, down 14% compared with H1 2009
* Impact of commercial real estate and block sales to Spanish banks in 2009
* Housing revenue in France up 5% vs. H1 2009
* Orders
* Excellent second-quarter sales in France with orders totaling €119 million
* Smaller contribution from block sales compared with H1 2009
* Backlog up 21% since year-end 2009
* Rebuilding the land potential in France: up 120% year on year
PARIS–(Business Wire)–
Regulatory News:
LES NOUVEAUX CONSTRUCTEURS (Paris:LNC), a leading European residential real
estate developer, today released its review of the six months that ended June
30, 2010.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (in € millions) H1 2010 H1 2009 Change
Net revenue 220 255 -14%
Orders (including VAT) 294 342 -14%
Backlog, net (at June 30) 552 637 -13%
Land potential, net (at June 30) 958 666 +44%
Olivier Mitterrand, Chairman of the Management Board, said:
“The strong demand for housing in France noted in 2009 carried over into
first-half 2010. Given this situation, LNC continued to build up its land
potential in France, which has more than doubled over the past 12 months. This
in turn has enabled us to rebuild our product portfolio, leading to a number of
major program launches during the second quarter. In fact, there were as many
launches over this period as in all of 2009.”
REVENUE
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, LNC revenue totaled €220 million, a
decline of 14% from the prior-year period.
REVENUE BY OPERATING SEGMENT
In € millions excl. VAT H1 2010 H1 2009 Change
France 145.9 160.0 -9%
Of which housing 129.1 123.1 +5%
Of which commercial real estate 16.8 36.9 -55%
Spain 26.9 44.1 -39%
Germany 46.0 48.4 -5%
Of which Concept Bau-Premier 15.1 25.2 -40%
Of which Zapf* 30.9 23.2 +33%
Other countries 1.2 2.6 -54%
Total 220.0 255.0 -14%
*Zapf, which was 50% proportionally consolidated until April 30, 2009, has been
fully consolidated since May 1, 2009.
In France, first-half 2010 revenue totaled €145.9 million, down 9% from the
prior-year period. The decline was mainly due to the sharp reduction in revenue
from the commercial real estate business with the completion of the Copernic 2
program in late 2009.
Housing revenue on the other hand rose by 5% compared with first-half 2009,
thanks in particular to the first-time consolidation of Dominium. The new
subsidiary contributed €7 million to revenue for the period.
In Spain, revenue for the first six months amounted to €26.9 million, down 39%
from the prior-year period. Premier España delivered 88 homes in first-half
2010, compared with 128 in the first six months of 2009. The decline was due to
a high basis of comparison for second-quarter 2009, when four lots and 53
housing units were sold to a bank for €27.5 million. Excluding the impact of
this transaction, first-half 2010 revenue was up approximately 62%.
In Germany, revenue from Concept Bau-Premier totaled €15.1 million, compared
with €25.2 million in first-half 2009 as the company delivered only 43 homes in
the first six months of 2010, versus 70 in the prior-year period.
Revenue from Zapf amounted to €30.9 million, compared with €23.2 million in
first-half 2009, during which the company was 50% proportionally consolidated
for four months. This means that on a comparable basis, business was practically
the same for the two periods.
BUSINESS PERFORMANCE
Orders were down 14% in value and 17% in volume year on year, mainly due to a
high basis of comparison stemming from the large number of block sales in
France, Spain and Germany in first-half 2009.
However, orders in second-quarter 2010 were up sharply compared with the first
three months of the year, rising approximately 55% in volume and 53% in value.
ORDERS – HOUSING
In € millions incl. VAT H1 2010 H1 2009 Change
France 195 206 -6%
Of which individual homebuyers 170 155 +9%
Of which block sales 25 51 -51%
Spain 29 23 +29%
Germany 58 105 -45%
Of which Concept Bau-Premier 30 68 -56%
Of which Zapf 28 37 -25%
Other countries 12 8 +51%
Total 294 342 -14%
In France, first-half 2010 orders declined 18% in volume but only 6% in value
versus the prior-year period. The difference was due mainly to the large number
of block sales in first-half 2009, which totaled 316 housing units versus just
155 in the first six months of 2010. The Company`s strategy produced results in
the second quarter with the launch of 14 new programs, compared with 13 for all
of 2009.
Excluding block sales, first-half sales to individual homebuyers declined by 4%
year on year to 688 units but rose by 9% in value because of higher average unit
prices.
Buy-to-let sales accounted for 45% of sales to private buyers in first-half
2010, versus 55% for full-year 2009.
In Spain, the subsidiary had 11 programs on the market at June 30, 2010,
compared with 12 one year earlier. Sales to private buyers rose by 134% to 138
units in first-half 2010, from 59 units in the first six months of 2009. This
sharp increase reflects the success of affordable housing programs in Madrid,
which represented 67 units. Other orders concerned 55 completed housing units
and 16 off-plan purchases.
No block sales have been carried out in 2010, compared with 48 in first-half
2009.
Premier España had 127 completed homes that were unsold as of June 30, 2010,
compared with 164 units three months earlier. Selling these homes remains the
subsidiary`s top priority.
In Germany, Concept Bau-Premier booked 70 orders in first-half 2010 versus 215
for the prior-year period. The substantial decline was due mainly to a high
basis of comparison in first-quarter 2009, when 91 units in Munich were sold as
a block to an institutional investor for approximately €24 million.
Zapf`s first-half 2010 sales totaled €28.4 million, compared with €37.7 million
for the year-earlier period. The decrease reflects the gradual discontinuation
of Zapf`s property development business as part of the restructuring plan.
BACKLOG
At June 30, 2010, net backlog amounted to €552 million, down 13% from one year
earlier but up around 21% from December 31, 2009.
Housing backlog totaled €533 million or 11.6 months of business based on housing
revenue over the past 12 months, versus 9 months of business at year-end 2009.
BACKLOG AT JUNE 30
In € millions excl. VAT 2010 2009 Change
France 341 408 -16%
Of which housing 322 334 -4%
Of which commercial real estate 19 74 -74%
Spain 43 40 +7%
Germany 153 178 -14%
Of which Concept Bau-Premier 75 98 -23%
Of which Zapf 78 80 -2%
Other countries 15 11 +36%
Total 552 637 -13%
In France, backlog at end-June 2010 came to €341 million, €67 million lower than
one year earlier but €42 million higher than the €299 million recorded at
December 31, 2009.
Housing backlog was down a slight €12 million year-on-year but up €57 million
from year-end 2009, due mainly to the contribution of Dominium. Consolidated as
from January 1, 2010, the new subsidiary added €29 million to backlog at June
30, 2010. With no new orders received since the completion of the Copernic 2
program, commercial real estate backlog was down €55 million compared with June
30, 2009.
In Spain, backlog amounted to €43 million at June 30, 2010, up 7% from one year
earlier. It included €20 million in orders for two affordable housing programs
in Madrid and €9 million for homes under lease with an option to buy.
In Germany, backlog stood at €153 million at end-June 2010. Backlog for Concept
Bau-Premier was €23 million lower than at June 30, 2009 but €15 million higher
than at year-end 2009. Zapf`s backlog rose by €28 million compared with December
31, 2009, of which one-third for the garage business and two-thirds for the
construction business.
LAND POTENTIAL
At June 30, 2010, LNC`s housing land potential came to €958 million (excluding
VAT). This represents 4,768 housing units, an increase of 68% from one year
earlier when the housing land potential totaled 2,845 units. Based on housing
revenue over the past 12 months, this represents 1.7 years of business.
CONFIRMED LAND POTENTIAL AT JUNE 30 – RESIDENTIAL
In € millions excl. VAT 2010 2009 Change
France 684 311 +120%
Spain 116 145 -20%
Germany 143 193 -26%
Of which Concept Bau-Premier 142 146 -2%
Of which Zapf 1 47 -98%
Other countries 15 17 -16%
Total 958 666 +44%
En France, LNC continued to build up its land potential in second-quarter 2010,
signing 15 new land purchase agreements representing 903 housing units during
the period. In one year, the land potential more than doubled to 3,757 housing
units at June 30, 2010 from 1,613 units at end-June 2009.
In Spain, the land potential stood at 502 housing units at June 30, 2010, versus
539 units one year earlier. The number of unsold, completed units declined to
127 from 167 one year earlier. In second-quarter 2010, LNC purchased two lots in
the Madrid area for affordable housing programs representing a total of 124
units.
At June 30, 2010, only four lots were intentionally being kept off the market,
compared with seven one year earlier.
The elimination of Zapf`s land potential was due to the discontinuation of its
property development business.
OUTLOOK
Since the beginning of 2009, LNC`s strategic priority has been to build up its
land potential. In first-half 2010, these efforts produced results as the land
potential at June 30 was on a par with year-end 2007. During the first six
months of the year, new program launches were actively pursued and, more
generally, the product portfolio was rebuilt. LNC is continuing to purchase lots
while diligently complying with its land acquisition criteria.
FINANCIAL CALENDAR
* First-half 2010 earnings report: Thursday, September 30, 2010, (before the
opening of the NYSE-Euronext Paris stock exchange).
LES NOUVEAUX CONSTRUCTEURS
Les Nouveaux Constructeurs, founded by Olivier Mitterrand, is a leading
developer of new housing, as well as offices, in France and two other European
countries.
Since 1972, Les Nouveaux Constructeurs has delivered nearly 60,000 apartments
and single-family homes in approximately 200 cities in France and abroad. Its
operations in France`s five largest metropolitan areas and high-quality programs
have made Les Nouveaux Constructeurs one of the most well known names in the
industry.
Building on its solid footprint in France, the Company is deploying an
innovative development strategy, with operations in two other European Union
countries.
Les Nouveaux Constructeurs has been listed on the NYSE Euronext Paris,
compartment C, since November 16, 2006 (code LNC; ISIN code: FR0004023208).
All LNC press releases are posted on its website at:
http://www.lesnouveauxconstructeurs.fr/fr/communiques
APPENDIXES
QUARTERLY REVENUE – BY COUNTRY
In € millions excl. VAT 2010 2009
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
France (Housing) 52.7 76.4 46.7 76.4 68.2 116.3
France (Commercial real estate) 6.5 10.3 14.5 22.4 18.7 27.0
Spain 16.0 10.9 7.0 37.1 13.6 6.3
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 12.6 2.5 10.3 14.9 11.2 54.0
Germany (Zapf) 10.2 20.7 5.3 17.9 30.4 44.0
Other countries 0.4 0.8 0.8 1.8 0.8 3.4
Total 98.4 121.6 84.6 170.4 142.9 251.1
AVERAGE UNIT PRICE – HOUSING ORDERS
In € thousands incl. VAT H1 2010 H1 2009 Change
France – Including block sales (1) 231 200 +15%
France – Excluding block sales(1) 247 218 +13%
Spain(2) 212 211 +0%
Germany(3) 236 277 -15%
Other countries(4) 108 91 +18%
LNC 220 214 +3%
(1) Including VAT of 5.5% or 19.6% (2) Including VAT of 7% for first-time home
buyers (3) No VAT (4) Including 10% sales tax in Indonesia
NUMBER OF HOUSING ORDERS, NET
Number of units H1 2010 H1 2009 Change
France 843 1,030 -18%
Spain 138 107* +29%
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 70 215 -67%
Germany (Zapf) 178 165 +8%
Other countries 107 84 +27%
Total 1,336 1,601 -17%
*Of which 48 units through the sale to a bank subsidiary
QUARTERLY HOUSING ORDERS BY COUNTRY
In € millions incl. VAT 2010 2009
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
France 76 119 113 94 78 69
Spain 15 14 6 17 7 7
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 13 17 44 23 15 12
Germany (Zapf) 9 19 14 24 16 7
Other countries 3 8 3 4 4 6
Total 116 178 180 162 120 101
BACKLOG BY QUARTER (PERIOD END)
In € millions excl. VAT 2010 2009
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
France (Housing) 297 322 338 334 326 265
France (Commercial real estate) 28 19 95 74 57 34
Spain 42 43 48 40 36 38
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 60 75 89 98 101 60
Germany (Zapf) 57 78 68 80 77 51
Other countries 10 15 10 11 11 8
Total 494 552 648 637 608 455
LAND POTENTIAL AT JUNE 30
Number of units 2010 2009 Change
France 3,757 1,613 +133%
Spain 502 539 -7%
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 370 360 +3%
Germany (Zapf) 3 135 -98%
Other countries 136 198 -32%
Total 4,768 2,845 +68%
Excluding commercial real estate
LAND POTENTIAL BY QUARTER (PERIOD END)
In € millions excl. VAT 2010 2009
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
France 617 684 365 311 355 568
Spain 116 116 173 145 138 134
Germany (Concept Bau-Premier) 162 142 158 146 132 141
Germany (Zapf) 2 1 54 47 37 3
Other countries 12 15 21 17 16 12
Total 909 958 770 666 678 858
Excluding commercial real estate
DISCLAIMER
The statements on which the Company objectives are based may contain
forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties regarding the economic, financial, competitive, and regulatory
environment and the completion of investment programs and asset transfers. In
addition, the occurrence of certain risks [see chapter 4 in the Document de Base
registered with the French Stock Exchange Commission (AMF) under number
I.06-155] could affect the business of the Company and its financial
performance. Moreover, the achievement of the objectives supposes the success of
the marketing strategy of the Company (see chapter 6 of the Document de Base).
Therefore, the Company hereby makes no commitment nor gives any guarantee as to
the fulfillment of objectives. The Company does not undertake to update any
forward-looking statement subject to the respect of the principles of the
permanent information as provided by articles 221-1 et seq. of AMF`s general
regulations.
Investor Relations
Les Nouveaux Constructeurs
Ronan Arzel, + 33 (0)1 45 38 45 29
Vice President
rarzel@lncsa.fr
or
LT Value
Investor Relations
Nancy Levain / Maryline Jarnoux-Sorin, +33 (0)1 44 50 39 30
nancy.levain@ltvalue.com
maryline.jarnoux-sorin@ltvalue.com
or
Media
Cap & Cime
Financial Media
Capucine de Fouquières, + 33 (0)6 09 46 77 33
capucine@capetcime.fr
or
Real Estate Media
Virginie Hunzinger, + 33 (0)1 55 35 08 18
+ 33 (0)6 10 34 52 81
vhunzinger@capetcime.fr
EU bank stress tests face their own test in markets
(Reuters) – EU tests of banks’ ability to withstand financial shocks, criticized as too easy after only 7 out of 91 failed, face their own stress test in the markets on Monday with early signs pointing to a more positive response.
European Union policymakers and regulators voiced relief at Friday’s results but some market analysts and many media commentators derided an exercise in which all listed banks passed as lacking in credibility.
“I see nothing stressful about this test. It’s like sending the banks away for a weekend of R&R,” said Stephen Pope, chief global equity strategist at brokers Cantor Fitzgerald.
There was skepticism about EU regulators’ conclusion that banks need only a total of 3.5 billion euros ($4.5 billion) in extra capital. Market expectations had ranged from 30 to 100 billion euros, although many European banks have already raised capital during the financial crisis.
Only five small Spanish banks, Germany’s state-rescued Hypo Real Estate and Greece’s Atebank failed outright. More than a dozen others scraped through with just over the required 6 percent of Tier 1 capital in the most stressful scenario and are likely to come under market scrutiny.
However, the wealth of data disclosed by banks representing 65 percent of assets, and the commitment of banks, regulators and governments to follow-up action may well outweigh doubts about the stringency of the tests.
In a first market reaction in New York late on Friday, the cost of insuring the debt of large European banks fell further and the euro rose against the dollar despite worries about the tests’ credibility.
Better-than-expected economic data and business confidence surveys suggesting the euro zone will avoid a double-dip recession despite fiscal austerity measures are also helping revive investor confidence in Europe.
HAGGLING
Given the haggling among EU governments and regulators about the stress tests right up to the last moment, the degree of transparency was greater than had been expected a few weeks ago.
Sources familiar with the discussions said Germany fought hard behind closed doors to limit the extent of disclosure.
In the end, most banks — except Deutsche — issued a detailed breakdown of their exposure to the sovereign debt of EU countries, enabling investors to run their own risk simulations to gauge a counterparty’s solidity.
“We have all the sovereign exposure data, and we can go ahead and do our own tests,” said Nial O’Connor, a banking analyst at Credit Suisse.
That should help reopen the interbank lending market, which partially froze at the height of the euro zone debt crisis in May and has remained tight due to fears that banks have been hiding big exposures.
It also responds to one of the major criticisms of the exercise — that the scenario assumed a “haircut” on sovereign debt of countries such as Greece held in banks’ trading books, but not on a longer-term basis in their banking books.
The EU authorities were chastised for refusing to test the impact of a default by Greece.
But European Central Bank governing council member Christian Noyer said euro zone states “have put several hundreds of billions of euros on the table with the support of the IMF to make this hypothesis completely excluded.”
TRANSPARENCY
Spain, which spearheaded the drive for transparency, tested a larger part of its banking system and disclosed more data than any other country, hoping to clear away lingering market suspicion of its smaller banks’ solvency.
However economist Nicolas Veron of the Bruegel think-tank said Madrid had underplayed the recapitalization needs of the cajas, regional savings banks, although its bank resolution fund (FROBE) is well on the way to meeting those needs.
“The Spanish wanted to be seen as the most transparent and deserve praise for the catalyst role they played, but in the end they clearly understated what the cajas need,” he said in a telephone interview.
Veron said follow-up actions by governments and regulators should include pressing weaker banks to recapitalize, if necessary with state help and facilitating cross-border takeovers of weaker banks.
Even before the results were published, National Bank of Greece, Slovenia’s NLB and Civica in Spain announced plans to raise capital.
Italy said it would reopen an offer of government-backed bonds to support its banks, although none failed. Monte dei Paschi di Siena squeaked through with 6.2 percent of Tier 1 capital under the most stressful scenario, and UBI Banca with 6.8 percent.
Veron said the success of the exercise would depend partly on whether European regulators adopt a more cooperative approach after the stress tests than they did before them.
“If this is the start of a beautiful friendship among EU supervisors, then that’s not the same as if the united front crumbles next week and they start criticizing each other again,” he said.
(Editing by Andrew Roche)