Report

Watkin Jones plc

Watkin Jones, a tier 1 developer/manager of purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) and build to rent (BTR) properties, this morning announced it had finished 10 PBSA (10 LY) developments covering 3,415 beds (3,314 LY) during FY18. Delivering record results which were “slightly ahead of expectations” (New ED Adj PBT £48m vs £46m before, & up +15% on LY £41.8m).
First & foremost the fundamentals remains “strong”. This is characterised by strong occupier demand for quality, yet affordable, University & rented accommodation – all forward funded from a host of premier development partners.
With regards to the numbers, we make no change to our FY19 forecasts, but nudge up the valuation to 235p/share thanks to the stronger than expected progress. At 200p, the stock trades on FY19 PE & EV/EBIT multiples of 12.4x and 8.7x, along with offering a 4.0% dividend yield. In our view, a deserved premium to peers in light of its superior cash generation, asset efficiency, sales visibility and risk profile.
Underlyings
Barratt Developments plc

Crest Nicholson Holdings plc

Inland Homes

Inland Homes is engaged in land regeneration business, focusing on developing sites in the south and south east of England. The principal activity of Co. is to acquire residential and mixed use sites and planning consent for development. Co. develops a number of the plots for private sale and sells consented plots to housebuilders.

McCarthy & Stone plc

Springfield Properties

Springfield Properties is engaged in developing a mix of private and affordable housing in Scotland. Co. operates through two divisions: Private Housing and Affordable. The Private Housing division develops smaller to medium sized developments in Scotland, as well as a small number of larger sites. The Affordable division's operations focus on the development of land into stand-alone sites which consist entirely of affordable homes.

Telford Homes PLC

Telford Homes is a developer of residential-led, mixed use sites in London. Co.'s customers include individual investors from the U.K. and overseas, owner-occupiers and housing associations. Co. is working with institutional investors in the build to rent sector. Co. has only one reportable segment being housebuilding in the U.K.

Watkin Jones

Watkin Jones is a holding company. Through its subsidiaries, Co. is engaged in the property development and the management of properties for multiple residential occupation. Co. operates in the following segments: student accommodation, which is engaged in the development of purpose built student accommodation; build to rent, which is engaged in the development of build to rent accommodation; residential, which is engaged in the development of residential property; and accommodation management, which is engaged in the management of student accommodation and build to rent property.

Provider
Equity Development
Equity Development

​Equity Development enables companies to become better understood and supported by investors. Since our launch in 1996 we have consistently focused on helping our clients improve their communication and relationships with both existing and potential shareholders. Our clients have come from a wide variety of sectors and domiciles, are both private and quoted and range in size from micro-cap to $multi-billions. We offer free access to company research notes written by experienced analysts. These notes include detailed forecasts, financial models and a fair value. We host regular Private Investor Forums at which investors have the opportunity to hear company directors present, and to ask questions. These are free to attend. We broadcast live Webinars with company management that include active Q&A. We also make the recordings available online. We arrange face to face meetings between private investors and company management. We are active users of Twitter, commenting daily on company news, share price moves, Directors’ Dealings, Equity Development Research Notes & Events.

Analysts
Paul Hill

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