Real Estate Opportunities Ltd (REO.L) reported profit before tax for fiscal 2007 compared to pre-tax loss last year, mainly on higher interest receivable and similar income.
For fiscal 2007, the company reported that it swung to pre-tax profit of £25.59 million from year ago loss of £20.45 million, largely helped a jump in interest receivables and similar income. The property dealer’s earnings per share for the year was 8.1 pence versus a loss per share of 4.6 pence in 2006.
Total interest receivable and similar income for the year increased significantly to £56.89 million from £5.5 million last year, largely due to £52.07 million received in connection with two legal settlements. On March 15 2007, Real Estate Opportunities reached an agreement with Aberdeen Asset Management on a pending lawsuit. On May 16, REO reached a settlement with UBS regarding another claim.
REO’s group turnover from continuing operations for 2007 grew to £19.17 million, from £16.77 million in the preceding year, reflecting increase in revenues from the company’s portfolio of investment and development properties in and around Dublin. Property income from Ireland rose to £18.5 million from £16.61 million last year.
The Jersey based company ‘s net asset value or NAV rose to £559.66 million or 151.9 pence per share from £269.1 million or 104.5 pence per share in the prior year.
REO is also proposing a final dividend for 2007 of 1.5 pence per ordinary share to be paid on July 18.