TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 26, 2014) - Northampton Group Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NHG), an integrated Canadian hotelier, today posted its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2014. In the fourth quarter, Northampton reported a quarter-over-quarter sales increase of 5.1% with net income showing the impact of increased costs; in the 12 months, sales increased by 7.2% while earnings rose by 115.8%.
"We were pleased with the top line in both the 12 months and the typically soft fourth quarter," said Vinod Patel, President and CEO of the Northampton Group. "Rising utility prices had a stronger-than-expected impact on our costs in the quarter, but in the 12 months, continued strength in corporate bookings resulted in significant increases in EBITDA, cash flow, and earnings. We are still experiencing some specific challenges in different locations, but overall performance has improved. We anticipate steady performance through the coming year based on our experience to date and the positive predictions of industry experts."
Calendar 2013 in Northampton's locations saw occupancy rates increase by around a percentage point, with average daily room rates (ADRs) up more than $3.00 in the GTA, while Montreal saw a slight decrease and Ottawa was essentially flat. Revenue per available room (RevPAR) rose by 5.2% in Toronto, 1.7% in Montreal, and less than 1% in Ottawa in 2013. According to Pannell Kerr Forster Consulting (PKF), the coming year will see a 1% lift in occupancy rates and a 2-to-3% increase in ADRs; if this is borne out, Northampton may see an improvement to sales and margins.
Highlights of the Year:
-- In the 12 months, consolidated revenues rose 7.2% to $30,614,114 from
28,568,630 for the previous fiscal year; for the fourth quarter,
revenues increased 5.1% to $6,380,660 from 6,068,445 in the same quarter
in fiscal 2013;
-- Cost of sales rose 9.5% in the year and 12.5% in the quarter. Adjusted
for the costs of launching the aloft Vaughan Mills in fiscal 2013, the
year-over-year increase was 6.4%. Administrative expenses decreased 5.3%
in the 12 months and rose 6.1% in the quarter. The decrease reflected a
one-time non-cash charge made in fiscal 2013 for stock-based
compensation as well as successful realty tax appeals; the increase
primarily arose from increased payroll and utility costs;
-- Gross profit for fiscal 2014 rose 4.6% to $14,084,752 from $13,470,777
in the prior year for gross profit margin of 46% versus 47.2% in the
prior year, reflecting higher costs;
-- EBITDA (earnings before income taxes, interest, depreciation, and
amortization) in the year ended March 31, 2014 increased 25.4% to
$8,135,412 from $6,487,987 in the prior year, and decreased 18.0% to
$664,470 from $809,951 in the fourth quarter in the previous year;
-- Net income for the fiscal year rose 115.8% to $1,670,869 from $774,195
in fiscal 2013. Net income for the quarter fell to ($280,804) from
($40,213) in the previous year;
-- Earnings per share in fiscal 2014 rose 115.8% to $0.064 per share
compared to $0.030 in the previous year. In the quarter, earnings per
share decreased to ($0.011) from ($0.002) in the prior period;
-- Cash flow, or net income plus amortization, increased 28.8% in fiscal
2014 to $4,514,351 or $0.173 per share. In the quarter, cash flow
decreased to $478,335 or $0.018 per share from $521,137 or ($0.020) per
share in the prior period;
-- Same-hotel sales rose in most of Northampton's portfolio;
-- Northampton's Board of Directors approved the payment of a dividend of
$0.02 per common share, payable to shareholders of record on December 9,
2013 and disbursed December 18, 2013;
-- As announced by Northampton in a news release on July 9, 2014,
Northampton received a proposal from an existing shareholder to purchase
all outstanding shares of the company. The Board has appointed a Special
Committee of independent directors to evaluate this proposal;
-- On July 24, 2014, the Special Committee retained The Commercial Capital
Corporation as financial advisor to advise the Special Committee in
respect of, among other things, this proposal.
The following is a tabulated summary of Northampton's results from continuing operations:
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Three months ended March 31 Twelve months ended March 31
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2014 2013(i) % change 2014 2013(i) % change
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Revenues 6,380,660 6,068,445 5.1 30,614,114 28,568,630 7.2
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Gross profit 2,263,516 2,410,128 -6.1 14,084,752 13,470,777 4.6
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Pre-tax
profit (534,591) (203,825) -- 3,429,512 1,834,680 86.9
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Profit (332,291) (128,325) -- 2,636,512 1,239,680 112.7
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Net income (280,804) (40,213) -- 1,670,869 774,195 115.8
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Earnings per
share (0.011) (0.002) -- 0.064 0.030 115.8
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Cash flow 478,335 521,137 -8.2 4,514,351 3,505,726 28.8
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Cash flow
per share 0.018 0.020 -8.2 0.173 0.134 28.1
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EBITDA 664,470 809,951 -18.0 8,135,412 6,487,987 25.4
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(i) Please note: any changes in posted prior-year financial results arise from the Company's adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 11.
For a more complete discussion of the Company's results, please see Northampton's annual filings on www.sedar.com, or the annual MD&A, financials, and notes to the financial statements on the Company's website at www.nhgi.com.
About Northampton
Northampton Group Inc. is an integrated Canadian hotelier with ownership and management interests in 1,943 rooms in 16 hotels with a selective strategic development program in place. Focused on creating a solid return for all stakeholders, Northampton's proven, market-sensitive strategy is to acquire or build hotels that provide superior overnight accommodation in the mid-price market. Northampton has consistently excelled in this sector, offering services that exceed expectations.
Disclaimer:
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbour" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause Northampton's results to differ materially from expectations. Such risks may relate to hotel performance, market fluctuations, investee performance, and other risks more fully described in the Company's annual report, posted on the Company's website and on SEDAR. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Northampton Group disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Northampton Group Inc.
Vinod Patel
President and CEO
905-629-9992
www.nhgi.com
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