Shares of Sheffield-based property investment and construction group Henry Boot plc rose about 5% on Tuesday after it published a trading update for 2020 saying it ended the year “materially ahead of the board’s revised expectations.”
The company said this was due “primarily to land disposals and a resilient performance from the development, construction and house building businesses” in Henry Boot’s target industrial and residential markets.
“Hallam Land Management saw housebuilder demand for land continue in 2020, driven by the housing market recovering in the second half of the year,” said the group.
“Further transactions which exchanged in H2 will make a significant contribution to the group’s profit in 2021.
“A major contribution to Hallam Land’s performance in H2 was the disposal of an interest in a joint venture site in the Midlands, which has long-term potential for residential and commercial development.
“Additionally, new opportunities were secured in the year which resulted in the land bank growing to 16,607 acres (2019:14,898 acres).
“In 2020, HBD completed on developments with a total gross development value (GDV) of £62m (HBD share £58m).
“The group is committed to projects with a total GDV of £313m (HBD share £85m), with the bulk of this in the significant BTR Kampus scheme in Manchester which has been forward funded.
“The rest comprising 657,000 sq ft of industrial & logistics has been 69% pre-let or pre-sold.
“Further opportunities have also been secured in the group’s three key markets, notably at Mabgate, Leeds (60,000 sq ft) and St John’s College in Manchester (27,000 sq ft). Both buildings add redevelopment potential in strong urban regeneration settings.
“Stonebridge Homes completed the year slightly ahead of target and, due to resilient demand within the housing market, maintained strong sales rates. Stonebridge Homes is now over 35% forward sold for 2021.
“In H2, Henry Boot Construction’s productivity increased on sites to 95% of planned activity with growing existing public sector work leading to a strong orderbook for 2021.
“The Glassworks scheme in Barnsley remains on time and budget and a £40m contract has been signed to deliver a BTR scheme, the Kangaroo Works, in the centre of Sheffield.
“Banner Plant has also seen a similar increase in activity levels to 93%. Road Link (A69) experienced traffic level disruptions due to COVID-19 but performed broadly in line with management expectations.”
Henry Boot CEO Tim Roberts said: “Henry Boot has adjusted well to the unprecedented challenges that have faced everyone in 2020, but with a continued strong financial position, and engaged teams, we have managed the business to focus successfully on our key long term markets which are today, as relevant as ever.
“Whilst the latest lockdown shows that significant uncertainties remain, with strong forward sales and a growing store of opportunities, we start the year in good shape.”