Foxtons shares tumble as London property slowdown clobbers sales and profits

By Sam Dean
January 11, 2017

Foxtons has felt the strain of a difficult year for estate agents
CREDIT: PETER PAYNE

London estate agent Foxtons is feeling the full force of the slowdown in the capital's housing market after revenue from selling houses almost halved in the final quarter of the year.

Final-quarter sales came in 40pc lower than the same period in 2015, falling from £20m to £12m. This was only partially offset by revenue from the company's letting business, which stayed flat, at £13m.

Total revenues for the year were down more than 10pc as a result of a “significant fall” in sales volumes after the first quarter of 2016, the company said in an update today.

Shares plummeted almost 10pc in early trading on Wednesday as Foxtons said total group revenue fell from £150m in 2015 to £133m last year. The company expects to generate approximately £25m in earnings before interest, taxes, amortisation and depreciation (ebitda) last year, compared to £46m in 2015.

Foxton's total revenue was down from £150m to £133m
CREDIT: PA WIRE

It comes as estate agents continue to feel the strain following uncertainty caused by the EU referendum and higher stamp duty rates. Almost one in five companies in the British property industry are in financial distress, with estate agents hit particularly hard, according to recent research from insolvency specialists Begbies Traynor.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has said the number of homes for sale is at a record low, with the slowdown having a stronger effect in the capital.

The ban on tenants paying letting fees also threatens to hit revenues, with Foxtons particularly vulnerable as it charges tenants fees far higher than the industry average.

“Looking ahead, we expect trading conditions to remain challenging in 2017,” said Foxtons chief executive Nic Budden. “Should current levels of sales activity continue in the short term, it is likely that 2017 volumes will be below those in 2016.”

Mr Budden, who oversaw the opening of seven new branches in 2016, added: “Our balanced business model provides resilience against sales market cycles and we have a strong balance sheet with no debt.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/01/11/foxtons-shares-tumble-london-property-slowdown-clobbers-sales/