Artemis Alpha Trust plc (the "Company")
Interim management statement - 3 months ended 31 January 2012
Introduction
The Company has prepared this interim management statement to meet the requirements of the UK Listing Authority's Disclosure Rules and Transparency Rules. It covers the three month period ended 31 January 2012, together with relevant information up to the date of publication.
Investment objective
Artemis Alpha Trust plc aims to achieve above average rates of total return over the longer term and to achieve a growing dividend stream.
Material events & transactions
The Company announced its results for the half-year ended 31 October 2011 during the period, including the declaration of a first interim dividend for the year to 30 April 2012 of 1.20p per ordinary share. This dividend was paid on 3 February 2012.
During the period, the Company has purchased 60,000 ordinary shares at an average discount of 9%. All shares repurchased are currently being held in treasury. Since the period end, the Company has purchased a further 100,000 ordinary shares at an average discount of 6.1%. As at 8 March 2012, the net asset value per share was 289.63p per share, and the share price was 273.88p. The discount to net asset value at which the Company's shares trade was 5.4%. In the period, 3,882 subscription shares were converted into ordinary shares at the conversion price of 345.0p per share.
General financial information
|
31 January 2012 |
31 October 2011 |
Net asset value |
275.05p |
271.56p |
Share price |
254.50p |
267.25p |
Net assets |
£133.8m |
£132.2m |
Market capitalisation |
£123.8m |
£130.1m |
|
|
|
Ordinary shares in issue |
48,634,470 |
48,690,588 |
Ordinary shares in treasury |
210,000 |
150,000 |
Subscription shares in issue |
6,867,134 |
6,871,010 |
Ten largest equity investments
Investment |
% of portfolio 31 January 2012 |
% of portfolio 31 October 2011 |
Hurricane Exploration |
8.3% |
8.6% |
Vostok Energy |
5.5% |
5.6% |
Lynton Holding Asia |
3.9% |
4.2% |
New Britain Palm Oil |
3.7% |
3.3% |
R.E.A. Holdings |
2.6% |
2.4% |
Salamander Energy |
2.6% |
2.4% |
Asian Plantations |
2.6% |
2.9% |
Cove Energy |
2.4% |
1.7% |
Providence Resources |
2.4% |
1.6% |
Collins Stewart Hawkpoint |
1.9% |
- |
Sector analysis
Sector |
% of portfolio 31 January 2012 |
% of portfolio 31 October 2011 |
Oil & Gas Producers |
34.2% |
30.6% |
Financial Services |
11.9% |
10.3% |
Food Producers |
10.2% |
10.2% |
Software & Computer Services |
5.3% |
4.9% |
Aerospace & Defence |
4.7% |
6.0% |
Mining |
4.6% |
4.8% |
Travel & Leisure |
3.8% |
3.6% |
Real Estate Investment & Services |
3.6% |
4.0% |
General Retailers |
3.2% |
2.9% |
Support Services |
3.1% |
5.0% |
Other |
15.4% |
17.7% |
Performance
|
3 months |
1 year |
3 years |
Since 1 June 2003 ** |
Net Asset Value * |
1.8% |
(14.6)% |
69.4% |
323.5% |
Share price * |
(4.3)% |
(19.7)% |
69.2% |
304.5% |
FTSE All-Share Index |
3.2% |
(0.3)% |
56.9% |
99.9% |
*Source: Artemis Investment Management LLP/Datastream. All figures are to 31 January 2012 and are total returns.
** The date of Artemis' appointment as investment manager.
A copy of the interim management statement and further information about the Company can be found on the investment manager's website at artemisonline.co.uk.
Artemis Investment Management LLP
Company Secretary
Tel: 0131 225 7300
9 March 2012