Arsenal Holdings, the parent company of Arsenal Football Club, has reported a 43% rise in pre-tax profits for the six months to 30th November to £35.2 million, on revenues that rose by 25% to £197.76 million. Earnings per share were up by 44% to £469.81, and net debt was reduced by 63% to £203.6 million. Total operating profit was down slightly at £29.3 million but cash was up 1% at £101.029 million.

During the period, 261 apartments at former stadium site Highbury Square were sold, raising £96.6 million, bring the total number sold to 469 out of 655. The bank loan on the project has been reduced to £35.7 million at 30th November, from £123.6 million as at 31st May. The sale of part of its Queensland Road development site now means that the other property activities of the group are debt-free. The firm continued with the ‘Arsenalisation’ of the Emirates Stadium, and also continued with a policy of re-signing players to long-term contracts.

On the field, the team is currently six points from first place in the Premier League, despite disappointing results against rivals Chelsea and Manchester United. Given its current position the team looks fairly certain to qualify for next year’s Champion’s League competition and the related big bucks that come with it. In this season’s Champion’s League Arsenal are currently preparing for the home tie in the second leg of their last 16 fixture, going in 2-1 down against Portuguese effort Porto.

Arsenal shares now stand at a mid-price of £9,200, giving it an impressive market capitalisation of £572.41 million. Again however, the high price and lack of liquidity means that we continue with our stance of for fans, Russian billionaires and US sports moguls only.