Barratt announces final results for the year ended 30 June 2019

Highlights

  • Strong operational and financial performance with continued good progress against medium term targets
  • Operating margin of 18.9% (2018: 17.7%), with a trading improvement of 80 bps, driven mainly by continued strong progress from our margin initiatives
  • Profit before tax of £909.8m (2018: £835.5m), driven by margin initiatives, a strong close to the year and additional contribution from joint ventures
  • Continue to lead the industry in quality and customer service, achieving more NHBC Pride in the Job Awards than any other housebuilder for the 15th consecutive year and receiving the maximum HBF 5 Star customer satisfaction rating for the tenth year in a row
  • Strong cash generation with net cash at 30 June 2019 of £765.7m (2018: £791.3m)
  • Final ordinary dividend per share of 19.5p (2018: 17.9p) together with 17.3p (2018: 17.3p) special dividend per share, resulting in a total dividend for the financial year of 46.4p (2018: 43.8p)

Current trading

  • Net private reservations per active outlet per average week from 1 July were 0.70 with the prior year benefiting from reservations on two bespoke design and build arrangements (FY19: 0.75, excluding the two bespoke design and build arrangements 0.70)
  • Strong total forward sales4 as at 1 September 2019 of 12,911 homes (2 September 2018: 12,648 homes) at a value of £2,998.6m (2 September 2018: £3,054.0m).

Commenting on the results David Thomas, Chief Executive of Barratt Developments PLC said:

“It has been another outstanding year delivering a strong operational and financial performance. The Group’s long term investment in quality and operational excellence continues to drive margin improvements, alongside our highest number of completions for 11 years. As the only major housebuilder to be awarded a 5 Star rating for customer satisfaction for ten years in a row, we continue to lead the industry in quality and customer service.

“Whilst there is increased economic and political uncertainty, we begin the new financial year with a strong forward order book, balance sheet and cash position which we believe provides us with the resilience and flexibility to react to potential changes in the operating environment in FY20 and beyond. We maintain our focus on the delivery of operational improvements across our business, and our commitment to deliver the highest quality homes across the country.”

£m unless otherwise stated Year ended
30 June 2019
Year ended
30 June 2018
Change
Total completions (homes) 17,856 17,579 1.6%
Revenue 4,763.1 4,874.8 (2.3%)
Gross margin (%) 22.8 20.7 210 bps
Profit from operations 901.1 862.6 4.5%
Operating margin (%) 18.9 17.7 120 bps
Profit before tax 909.8 835.5 8.9%
Basic earnings per share (pence) 73.2 66.5 10.1%
Total dividend per share (pence) 46.4 43.8 5.9%
ROCE (%) 29.7 29.6 10 bps
Net cash 765.7 791.3 (3.2%)