Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Retail and office sites boost assets at Slough

Tom Stevenson
Friday 25 March 1994 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

SLOUGH Estates, the UK's largest industrial property company, announced a 10 per cent increase in net assets per share during 1993 from 245p to 269p after a 13 per cent uplift in the value of the UK portfolio was offset by further falls in the overseas portfolio.

Retail and office properties led the way, with improvements of 21 and 22 per cent, while the core industrial portfolio, 60 per cent of the company's assets, rose by 9 per cent.

Sir Nigel Mobbs, the chairman, described 1993 as 'a year of paradox'. He said that while there were clear indications that the US and Britain were emerging from recession, many companies were failing or cutting staff numbers.

During the year, 3.4 million square feet of space were let but 2.5 million were returned because of business collapses, retrenchment or relocation.

Sir Nigel said that unemployment remained a serious concern and warned that until more jobs became available the opportunities for a significant increase in development would be limited.

Pre-tax profits in the year to December rose 14 per cent to pounds 53m, while last year's pounds 147m rights issue diluted earnings per share from 7.9p to 7p. Sir Nigel said that strong cash flow justified the maintained dividend of 8.1p.

The shares, which have weakened over the past two months from 313p, closed 2p up at 255p.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in