Villa World eyes Logan and Gold Coast to stoke further house and land sales revenue growth

Property developer Villa World has noted profitable half-year financial results, pushing an upgrade to their full-year guidance.

Full year guidance has been amended to an after tax profit of $37.5 million, showing growth of 11 percent over FY16 ($33.7 million).

Half-year statutory net profit after tax was noted at $19.6 million (17.4 cps), compared to a net profit after tax of $20.4 million (18.5 cps) for the half year to 31 December 2015.

Villa World gave half-year guidance in the range of $19.5 - 21.4 million, released on 6 December 2016, with sales of Victorian land and housing projects carried forward into 2H17.

Craig Treasure, Villa World managing director and chief executive officer said Villa World was primed for a strong end-of-year result, off the back of a 35 percent increase in half-year sales (1H17: 673 sales; 1H16: 497) and around $192 million in carried forward sales contracts.

"Around 86 percent of those contracts (479 lots valued at $161 million) are expected to settle in 2H17, with the balance settling in FY18," he said.

"The Board anticipates paying total dividends of 18.5 cents per share fully franked in FY17, representing a yield of 7.7 percent.

"Villa World was well placed to outstrip its FY16 sales performance and achieve at least 1,185 sales.

“The strength of the Queensland housing market, particularly in the Brisbane-Gold Coast corridor and similar growth corridors around Melbourne and Sydney, is continuing to reap excellent results for Villa World.

"Queensland dominated the Company’s revenue gains, contributing 84 percent this half-year (1H16: 86 percent)."

"House and land products represent 66 percent of revenue (1H16: 76%).

“We continue to focus heavily on our core, being the retail market comprising owner occupiers including first home buyers, as well as builders and predominantly local investors.

“These market segments are holding up very well leading us to anticipate steady growth in both sales volumes and price point as we look ahead to the remainder of FY17 and into FY18.

We are looking forward to releasing new flagship projects at Killara, in Logan, and Arundel Springs, on the Gold Coast, and expect strong market conditions will continue to drive sales.”

He said Villa World would continue to consolidate its growth base in Queensland as well as diversify its profile across Victoria and New South Wales.

“We are continuing to replenish land stock through strategic purchases in proven growth corridors and take advantage of opportunities to diversify our geographic footprint along the east coast,” he said.

In the half year to 31 December 2016, Villa World acquired 1,496 lots for a total portfolio of 6,386 lots.