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West Hamilton Holdings Ltd Releases 2009 Interim Report.
Hamilton, Bermuda - 20 November, 2009 - West Hamilton Holdings Ltd (Ticker: WHHL.BH) has released the Interim Report to Shareholders for 6 months to 30 September, 2009, as approved at the Board Meeting held 19 November, 2009.
"In six months of fiscal year 2009 (the period) revenues totalled $708,648, representing a marginal decrease in comparison to the previous year. The decrease in revenue relative to the previous year is as a result of discounted rent to certain tenants most affected by the disruption of their business during the excavation of the construction site. In preparation for the development of the Bakery site all non-Belvedere tenants had been given notice of the termination of their leases and demolition of the site started in January 2008.
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Operating income for the period decreased by $20,858 to $175,604 relative to fiscal year 2008. The decrease is attributed mostly to the reduction in rental space available to rent which was offset somewhat by the containment of operating expenses. Net income for the period was $2,273 less than the previous year.
Earnings per share were $0.09 for the period as compared to $0.10 per share in 2008. Dividends paid in prior years were suspended while the development of the Belvedere site was in progress. The suspension of dividends will continue over the next three fiscal years as a condition of a loan agreement with Butterfield Bank.
Shares of the company traded thinly on the Bermuda Stock Exchange (BSX) with only a modest amount of shares changing hands. During the year a median price of $11.00 per share was quoted on the BSX.
Shareholders approved the construction of the first phase of the development of the Belvedere site which includes demolition of the old buildings, the underground infrastructure for the entire complex including 270 parking bays. The construction of the parking bays is moving ahead according to plan, however the construction of the new building is contingent upon the attainment of certain triggers set by our bankers and at this time those triggers have not been met. The market for office space is under constant review by management and the outlook in the short term is anticipated to be pressured with higher vacancy rates and additional space being released in the market. Under these circumstances, the triggers established by the bank will be difficult to achieve and the construction works will be managed accordingly.
During the negotiation with Butterfield Bank for a loan to finance the construction of the development plan, an overdraft for $3.1 million was used as a temporary facility to fund the progress of construction works. In February 2009 a construction loan for $15 million (US Dollars) was approved by Butterfield Bank for a period of two years.
The first phase of the development is expected to be completed in the spring of 2010 and at that time the construction loan will be converted into a fifteen years term loan with similar terms and conditions.
During first six months of fiscal 2009, the company used operating cash to fund some of the development costs and those amounts were charged directly to income. The Directors have agreed to continue to charge certain costs not associated with ongoing operations to income which will have the effect of distorting some comparative reporting of the operations of the company in future years.
I wish to thank the Directors, management and staff for their participation, dedication and support throughout this past year."
Yours Very Truly,
David A.J.G. White
President