Earnings Release • Apr 28, 2015
Earnings Release
Open in ViewerOpens in native device viewer
Paris, Tuesday 28 April 2015
Robust business activity, especially in new homes
4 Pending decision of Nexity's Board of Directors and approval at the General Shareholders' Meeting
1 The financial data and indicators used in this press release are based on Nexity's operational reporting, with joint ventures proportionately consolidated
2 Revenue basis – previous 12-month period
3 up 7% excluding changes in scope: Oralia has been consolidated with effect from 1 April 2014 and PERL with effect from 1 July 2014
"The most striking feature of this year so far has been the ultra-low interest rates implemented by monetary authorities and seemingly set to last. Such low rates make real estate assets (both commercial and residential) more attractive to investors. Under these circumstances 2015 appears to be marking the start of a recovery in France's housing market, which is encouraging after four consecutive years of decline. Activity over the first few months of the year has shown individual investors returning to the market, triggering a significant jump in sales in a number of major regional cities, while the Paris region remains sluggish and home purchases stagnate – a sign that the real economy is cut off from the optimism currently prevailing in financial circles.
With institutional investors likely to step up their activities throughout the year, 2015 looks set to be better than last year, in line with Nexity's expectations (predicted volumes in the French residential market of 90,000-95,000 in 2015, as compared with 85,800 in 2014).
On the supply side, despite encouraging language from the public authorities, considerable impediments remain. The permanence of heavy constraints and obstacles to land development makes it impossible to anticipate a rapid rise in new home construction at the level required to satisfy demand.
Against this backdrop, Nexity has delivered strong sales performance, with reservations up more than 20% year on year. Our business development nevertheless remains selective, with a cautious policy on new launches and a focus on profitability. The Group's other businesses are also performing in line with their sales targets.
Nexity confirms all the guidance given to the market at the beginning of the year, and all our staff are working very hard in 2015 to improve the Group's sales and financial performance as well as its innovation strategy, for the benefit of our clients, partners and shareholders."
***
Mortgage rates continued to decline in France, driven by a decrease in the cost of funds and banks' desire to stimulate demand. The difference in interest rates between year-end 2013 (3.08% on average in December 2013) and Q1 2015 (2.16% on average in March 2015)5 equates to a fall in new home prices of around 8%6 .
| Reservations (units and €m) | Q1 2015 | Q1 2014 | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| New homes (France, number of units) | 2,234* | 1,815 | +23.1% |
| Subdivisions (number of units) | 321 | 326 | -1.5% |
| International (number of units) | 14 | 3 | x4.7 |
| Total reservations (number of units) | 2,569 | 2,144 | +19.8% |
| New homes (France, in €m incl. VAT) | 425** | 353 | +20.4% |
| Subdivisions (€m incl. VAT) | 23 | 29 | -20.8% |
| International (€m incl. VAT) | 2 | -2 | NA |
| Total reservations (€m incl. VAT) | 450 | 380 | +18.5% |
*including 184 net reservations for PERL
**of which €44 million generated by PERL
In the first quarter of 2015, the Group recorded 2,234 net new home reservations in France, a 23% year-on-year increase by volume, while in value terms the expected revenue from those reservations was up 20% (€425 million including VAT) on account of a larger proportion of reservations in the French regions this year (65% as opposed to 53% in the first quarter of 2014), where the average selling price is lower than in and around the capital. On a like-forlike basis the net number of new home reservations grew 13% by volume and 8% by value.
The first quarter stood out by virtue of very significant growth in sales to individual investors (up 72%)7 . As Nexity expected, this increase was driven by the introduction and strong reception of the "Pinel" scheme, more favourable than its predecessor. The impact of the change in tax regime was particularly favourable to a number of regional markets that crossed into different supply-constraint zoning brackets, enabling an increase in the amount of rent investors could charge.
Despite competitive interest rates, the number of home buyers decreased due to the still fragile state of the French economy (no growth in incomes, high unemployment). The situation was possibly aggravated in the Paris region by the reform of PTZ interest-free lending.
Reservations by professional landlords were up 3%. Pending the issue of building permits, no reservations by SNI were recorded in the first quarter under the preliminary agreement for 569 housing units.
5 Source: Observatoire Crédit Logement – rates for new-build purchases
6 All other things being equal
7 +43% excluding PERL
| Breakdown of new home reservations by client – France (number of units) |
Q1 2015 | Q1 2014 | Change % |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home buyers | 592 | 27% | 642 | 35% | -7.8% |
| o/w: - first-time buyers | 471 | 21% | 498 | 27% | -5.4% |
| - other home buyers | 121 | 6% | 144 | 8% | -16.0% |
| Individual investors | 1,079 | 48% | 627 | 35% | +72.1% |
| Professional landlords | 563 | 25% | 546 | 30% | +3.1% |
| Total new home reservations | 2,234 | 100% | 1,815 | 100% | +23.1% |
In Q1 2015, the average price of residential units reserved by Nexity's individual clients8 was down 9.0% relative to Q1 2014, due to the geographic mix of sales and to the customer mix (individual investors, who on average purchase smaller units than owner-occupiers, were more widely represented this quarter).
| Average sale price & floor area* | Q1 2015 | Q1 2014 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average home price incl. VAT per sq.m (€) | 3,703 | 3,879 | -4.6% |
| Average floor area per home (sq.m) | 55.5 | 58.2 | -4.6% |
| Average price incl. VAT per home (€k) | 205.7 | 226.0 | -9.0% |
* excluding bulk sales, Iselection and PERL
Nexity has continued its policy of controlled commercial launches, with the number of units placed on the market in the first quarter9 stable at 1,155. The unsold completed stock of new residential units remained very low (2%) and stable relative to the end of March 2014. The average level of pre-selling recorded at the time construction work was launched remains high (65% on average).
At end March 2015 the business potential10 for new homes was up 12% from end March 2014, and up 6% from end December 2014, at 26,250 units.
Subdivisions
Subdivision reservations totalled 321 units, down 2% relative to the first quarter of 2014, with the average price of net reservations from individuals falling 4% to €78k due to a decrease in the average price per square metre (down 1.2%) and the average unit size (down 2.6%).
8 Excluding bulk sales to professional landlords, and Iselection and PERL sales
9 Excluding PERL and Iselection for all data relative to selling, supply for sale and business potential
10 Includes the Group's current supply for sale, its future supply corresponding to project phases not yet marketed on acquired land, and projects not yet launched associated with land secured through options.
International
Nexity recorded 14 international new home reservations in the first quarter of 2015, of which 11 in Poland and three in Italy. In Italy, Nexity's announced policy of risk mitigation is being implemented.
Transaction volumes in the French commercial real estate market in the first quarter of 2015 totalled €4.3 billion, up 10% relative to the first quarter of 201411, driven by French and foreign investor appetite for real estate assets. In a reflection of this trend, investors began showing renewed interest in "speculative" VEFA off-plan arrangements in Paris and its inner suburbs.
For the same period, space taken up in the Paris region (372,500 sq.m) was down 27% relative to the first quarter of 2014 and 33% below the average first quarter volume for the past ten years11 .
There was thus a visible disconnect between investor demand and end-user demand, which could raise questions for the real estate outlook in France if it continues.
Nexity booked new orders totalling €23 million in the first quarter of 2015. Given its portfolio of projects at the advanced start-up or marketing phases, the Group's target of achieving new orders of at least €200 million in the year is confirmed.
In Real estate services, the portfolio of units under management for individuals (933,300 units at 31 March 2015) remained stable relative to end December 2014.
In real estate services to companies, the volume of units under management totalled 12 million sq.m at 31 March 2015, up 2.4% from end 2014.
In Networks, the number of provisional sale agreements (compromis) recorded in the first quarter by Century 21 and Guy Hoquet l'Immobilier was up 1% relative to the same period a year earlier, despite a decrease in the number of franchises (1,221 agencies at end March 2015 versus 1,265 at end March 2014).
For end March 2015, at 557,800 sq.m12, the land development potential of Nexity's urban regeneration business (Villes & Projets) remained nearly stable relative to year-end 2014 (down 1%). No additions to the portfolio were recorded in the first quarter.
11 Source: CBRE
12 Floor areas are provided for information purposes only and may be subject to adjustment once administrative authorisations have been obtained
In the first quarter of 2015, Nexity recorded revenue of €569 million, up 13% relative to the first quarter of 2014. This €64 million increase was mainly driven by the increase in revenue recognised by the Commercial division (up €30 million from the first quarter of last year) and by the acquisitions completed in 2014 (addition of €29 million for Oralia and PERL).
| € millions | Q1 2015 | Q1 2014 | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential real estate | 360.5 | 340.7 | +5.8% |
| Commercial real estate | 85.7 | 55.4 | +54.7% |
| Services & Networks | 121.5 | 106.6 | +14.0% |
| Other activities | 1.0 | 1.9 | -46.3% |
| Total Group revenue* | 568.7 | 504.6 | +12.7% |
* Revenue generated by the Residential and Commercial divisions (through VEFA off-plan sales and CPI development contracts) is calculated using the percentage-of-completion method, i.e. on the basis of notarised sales pro-rated to reflect the progress of committed construction costs.
In IFRS terms, revenue for the first quarter of the year was €528 million, up 16% relative to consolidated revenue of €454 million to 31 March 2014. This figure excludes revenue from joint ventures, in accordance with IFRS 11, which requires joint ventures to be accounted for via the equity method instead of proportionately consolidated as they were before.
| € millions, excluding VAT | 31 March 2015 | 31 Dec. 2014 | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential real estate – New homes * | 2,608 | 2,591 | +0.6% |
| Residential real estate – Subdivisions | 235 | 243 | -3.3% |
| Residential real estate backlog | 2,843 | 2,834 | +0.3% |
| Commercial real estate backlog | 389 | 449 | -13.3% |
| Total Group backlog | 3,232 | 3,283 | -1.6% |
* including outside France
The Group's order book at end March 2015 stood at €3.232 billion, slightly down relative to end 2014 and equivalent to 18 months' revenue from Nexity's development activities13 .
***
| General Shareholders' Meeting | Tuesday, 19 May 2015 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 dividend, subject to approval at the General Meeting: | ||
| o | Ex-dividend date | Monday, 25 May 2015 |
| o | Payment date | Wednesday, 27 May 2015 |
H1 2015 results |
Thursday, 23 July 2015 |
A conference call on the Group's revenue and business activity in Q1 2015 will be held in English at 19:00 CET on Tuesday, 28 April 2015, accessible by dialling the following numbers and using the code 1085986:
The presentation referred to in the conference call will be available via the Group's website from 18:45 CET, and may be followed at the following address: http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/b8opii96
A recording of the conference call will be available from the next day at the following link: http://www.nexity.fr/immobilier/groupe/finance/slides-show/webcast.
Page 7/10
13 Revenue basis – previous 12-month period
______
The information, assumptions and estimates that the Company could reasonably use to determine its targets are subject to change or modification due notably to economic, financial and competitive uncertainties. Furthermore, it is possible that some of the risks described in Section 4 of the Document de Référence, filed with the AMF under number D.15-0297 on 8 April 2015, could have an impact on the Group's operations and the Company's ability to achieve its targets. Accordingly, the Company cannot give any assurance as to whether it will achieve the targets described, and makes no commitment or undertaking to update or otherwise revise this information.
This press release is considered to be a quarterly financial report as defined in the Transparency Directive transposed by the AMF.
Nexity offers the widest range of advice and expertise, products, services and solutions for private individuals, companies and local authorities, so as to best meet the needs of our clients and respond to their concerns. Our business lines – real estate brokerage, management, design, development, planning, advisory and related services – are now optimally organised to serve and support our clients. As the benchmark operator in our sector, we are resolutely committed to all of our clients, but also to the environment and society as a whole.
Nexity is listed on the SRD and on Euronext's Compartment A Nexity is included in the following indices: SBF 80, SBF 120, CAC Mid 60, CAC Mid & Small and CAC All Tradable Ticker symbol: NXI; Reuters: NXI.PA; Bloomberg: NXI FP ISIN: FR0010112524 ______
CONTACT Amélie Laroche-Truong – Head of Investor Relations / +33 (0)1 85 55 15 49 – [email protected]
| 2015 | 2014 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 |
Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | ||||
| Number of units | |||||||||
| New homes | 2,234 | 3,653 | 2,175 | 2,722 | 1,815 | 3,581 | 2,099 | 2,781 | 1,660 |
| of which PERL | 184 | 222 | 123 | ||||||
| Subdivisions | 321 | 836 | 395 | 547 | 326 | 765 | 448 | 521 | 370 |
| International | 14 | 7 | 73 | 10 | 3 | 19 | 26 | 41 | 11 |
| Total (number of units) |
2,569 | 4,496 | 2,643 | 3,279 | 2,144 | 4,365 | 2,573 | 3,343 | 2,041 |
| Value, in €m incl. VAT | |||||||||
| New homes | 425 | 677 | 419 | 475 | 353 | 654 | 438 | 546 | 327 |
| of which PERL | 44 | 58 | 29 | ||||||
| Subdivisions | 23 | 63 | 29 | 42 | 29 | 64 | 39 | 40 | 27 |
| International | 2 | 2 | 10 | 1 | -2 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 5 |
| Total (€m incl. VAT) | 450 | 742 | 458 | 518 | 380 | 720 | 484 | 598 | 359 |
14 Following an error in the breakdown between Q3 and Q4 2014 of PERL reservations in the 2014 annual results disclosure (press release dated 17 February 2015), the "New homes" and "Total" number of units lines have been corrected.
| € millions | Q1 2015 | Q1 2014 | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|
| New homes | 325.2 | 298.9 | +8.8% |
| Subdivisions | 25.5 | 24.9 | +2.2% |
| International | 9.8 | 16.9 | -42.0% |
| Residential real estate | 360.5 | 340.7 | +5.8% |
| Commercial real estate | 85.7 | 55.4 | +54.7% |
| Services | 113.6 | 99.2 | +14.5% |
| Networks | 7.9 | 7.4 | +7.4% |
| Services & Networks | 121.5 | 106.6 | +14.0% |
| Other activities | 1.0 | 1.9 | -46.3% |
| GROUP | 568.7 | 504.6 | +12.7% |
| 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| € millions | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | Q4 | Q3 | Q2 | Q1 | |
| Residential real estate | 360.5 | 672.4 | 425.2 | 394.4 | 340.7 | 636.2 | 391.8 | 440.0 | 364.1 | |
| Commercial real estate | 85.7 | 104.6 | 58.2 | 49.4 | 55.4 | 97.5 | 111.4 | 130.5 | 114.0 | |
| Services & Networks | 121.5 | 131.2 | 122.9 | 123.6 | 106.6 | 115.2 | 109.9 | 113.0 | 107.4 | |
| Other activities | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 42.5 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.1 | |
| GROUP | 568.7 | 909.6 | 607.7 | 610.0 | 504.6 | 850.6 | 614.9 | 685.2 | 586.5 |
15 According to IFRS but with joint ventures proportionately consolidated
Building tools?
Free accounts include 100 API calls/year for testing.
Have a question? We'll get back to you promptly.