Final Results

RNS Number : 7234V
Edinburgh Worldwide Inv Trust PLC
05 December 2019
 

RNS Announcement: Preliminary Results

 

 

Legal Entity Identifier: 213800JUA8RKIDDLH380

Regulated Information Classification: Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State of the European Union.

 

The following is the preliminary statement for the year to 31 October 2019 which was approved by the Board on 4 December 2019.

¾  Over the year to 31 October 2019, the Company's net asset value per share, cum income with debt at fair value, increased by 7.4% and the share price by 6.7%. The comparative index, the S&P Global Small Cap Index* total return, increased by 7.2% in sterling terms.

¾  No final dividend is being paid. Should the level of underlying income increase in future years, the Board will seek to distribute the minimum permissible to maintain investment trust status as the Company's objective remains that of generating capital growth.

¾  A number of the Company's holdings contributed to the positive performance, notably: Novocure, a US manufacturer of medical devices for cancer treatment, Seattle Genetics, a US biotechnology developer of monoclonal antibodies, and Galapagos, a Belgian clinical stage biotechnology company.

¾  As at the year end, the Company held seven unlisted investments accounting for 5.5% of total assets (2018 - 3.2% of total assets in five holdings).

 

Summary

 

Edinburgh Worldwide's objective is the achievement of long term capital growth by investing primarily in listed companies throughout the world. The Trust has total assets of £585.3 million (before deduction of loans of £48.6 million) as at 31 October 2019.

Edinburgh Worldwide is managed by Baillie Gifford & Co Limited, the Edinburgh based fund management group with around £207 billion under management and advice as at 3 December 2019.

 

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

The value of an investment and any income from it is not guaranteed and may go down as well as up and investors may not get back the amount invested. This is because the share price is determined by the changing conditions in the relevant stockmarkets in which the Company invests and by the supply and demand for the Company's shares. Investment in investment trusts should be regarded as medium to long-term. You can find up to date performance information about Edinburgh Worldwide on the Edinburgh Worldwide page of the Managers' website at http://www.edinburghworldwide.co.uk

 

For a definition of terms see Glossary of Terms and Alternative Performance Measures, note 10.

*    See disclaimer at the end of this announcement.

‡    Neither the contents of the Managers' website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Managers' website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

 

5 December 2019

For further information please contact:

Anzelm Cydzik, Baillie Gifford & Co                        Mark Knight, Director, Four Communications

Tel: 0131 275 2000                                                 Tel: 0203 697 4200 or 07803 758810

 

 

 

Performance

In the year to 31 October 2019, the Company's net asset value ('NAV') per share, when calculated by deducting borrowings at fair value, increased by 7.4% and the share price by 6.7%, both in total return terms. The comparative index, the S&P Global Small Cap Index* total return, increased by 7.2% in sterling terms during this period. Over the course of the financial year the share price averaged a 1.0% premium to net assets, with borrowings deducted at fair value. Portfolio turnover was 4.5% compared to 12.6% in 2018 and the ongoing charges have reduced to 0.75% from 0.81%.

The good relative and absolute performance was driven by several holdings, most notably Novocure, a US manufacturer of medical devices for cancer treatment, Seattle Genetics, a US biotechnology developer of monoclonal antibodies, and Galapagos, a Belgian clinical stage biotechnology company. On balance, the underlying performance of the holdings in the portfolio continues to progress as hoped. Greater detail on this can be found within the Managers' Review below.

 

Management Fee

 

During the year, a change was made to the management fee structure resulting in a £100,000 per annum saving to the Company. With effect from 1 January 2019, the calculation of the first tier of the management fee charged on the first £50 million of net assets was reduced from 0.95% to 0.75%. The annual management fee payable by the Company is now charged at a rate of 0.75% on the first £50 million of net assets, at 0.65% on the next £200 million of net assets and at 0.55% on the remaining net assets. The fee continues to be calculated and paid on a quarterly basis.

 

Share Buybacks, Treasury and Issuance

 

The Company will once again be seeking to renew its share buyback, issuance and treasury share authorities. The buyback facility is sought to allow the Company to buy back its own shares when the discount is substantial in absolute terms and relative to its peers. Issuance, either from treasury or of new shares, will only be undertaken at a premium to the prevailing NAV, with debt calculated at par, in order to satisfy natural market demand. This would enhance the NAV per share for existing shareholders as well as dilute ongoing costs and help with the trading liquidity of the shares of the Company.

Over the course of the last financial year, the Company has issued over 16.5 million new shares at a premium to its NAV, raising net proceeds of £30.9 million and increasing the NAV per share by 0.11%. This equates to 5.8% of the issued share capital at the start of the year. This, along with good investment performance and the reduced rate of management fee, has contributed to the reduction in the Company's ongoing charges for the year.

 

Unlisted Investments

 

At last year's Annual General Meeting shareholders approved an increase in the permissible limit of investment in unlisted investments from 5% to 15% of total assets at the time of initial investment.

Shareholders should keep in mind that this is a ceiling to exposure rather than an aspirational target. As at the Company's year end, the portfolio weighting in unlisted investments stood at 5.5% of total assets, invested in seven companies (2018 - 3.2% of total assets in five companies). Two new unlisted investments were made during the year: Space Exploration Technologies ('SpaceX'), a US company that designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft; and, PSIQuantum, a US developer of commercial quantum computing. Additions were made to the existing investments in Oxford Nanopore Technologies, Reaction Engines and Spire. The other two unlisted investments in the portfolio are Akili Interactive Labs and KSQ Therapeutics.

 

Borrowings

 

The extent and range of equity gearing is discussed by the Board and Managers at each Board meeting. Both parties agree that the Company should typically be geared to equities to maximise potential returns, with the current aspirational parameters set at +5% to +15%. Over the year, the invested gearing ranged between 5.0% and 9.2%, and stood at 6.6% at the financial year end (2018 - 5.3%).

As at 31 October 2018, the Company had a five year fixed rate facility with National Australia Bank Limited with an expiry date of 30 September 2019 and a five year £25 million revolving credit facility with National Australia Bank Limited with an expiry date of 29 June 2023. On its expiry, the five year fixed rate facility was refinanced with a five year £36 million revolving credit facility with National Australia Bank Limited with an expiry date of 30 September 2024. As at 31 October 2019, the Company had drawings of €2,821,800, US$37,090,500 and £17,500,000.

 

Earnings and Dividend

 

The Company's objective is to generate capital growth and investors should not expect any dividend from this investment. This year the net revenue return per share was a negative 0.23p (2018 - negative 0.19p). As the revenue account is running at a deficit, no final dividend is being recommended by the Board. Should the level of underlying income increase in future years, the Board will seek to distribute to shareholders the minimum permissible to maintain investment trust status by way of a final dividend.

 

 

Board Composition

 

Mr William Ducas intends to retire from the Board in 2020. A search consultancy has been engaged to find two new non-executive Directors to create flexibility for further Board changes in the future. The Company's Nominations Committee has identified the skills and experience required; its priority is to identify candidates with the best range of skills and experience to complement existing Directors; this search is now under way. The Board does not consider it appropriate to set diversity targets or apply a diversity policy. The Board intends to engage an independent consultancy to undertake a review of governance and Board effectiveness in 2020, once the new Directors have been appointed.

 

 

Investment Outlook

 

For some investors, uncertainty regarding Brexit has resulted in risk aversion and a desire to withdraw exposure to equities. The reality for this portfolio is that should sterling weaken in aggregate against other currencies, then investor returns are likely to increase as the majority of assets within the portfolio are non-sterling denominated. Therefore, the converse holds true. Rather than focusing on macro-economic developments, your managers continue to direct their efforts to picking the best entrepreneurial, immature growth companies that create and exploit investment opportunities, and which exhibit excellent long-term growth prospects and the potential for positive long term returns wherever they are listed. The managers and the Board remain enthused by the prospects for the holdings within the portfolio and the many exciting company specific developments being announced. Whilst markets exhibit volatility, the investment trust structure permits the managers and discerning long-term investors to take positions for the long term when the tide of money or sentiment depresses valuations. 

 

An overview of the portfolio is provided below.

 

Annual General Meeting

 

The Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at Baillie Gifford's offices in Edinburgh at 12 noon on Wednesday 22 January 2020. The Directors consider that all resolutions put to shareholders are in their and the Company's best interests as a whole and recommend that shareholders vote in their favour.

Further information, including the proposed resolutions and information on the deadlines for proxy appointments, can be found on pages 57 to 59 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements. Shareholders who hold shares in their own name on the main register will be provided with a Form of Proxy. If you hold shares through a share platform or other nominee, the Board would encourage you to contact these organisations directly as soon as possible to arrange for you to attend and/or vote at the Annual General Meeting.

Douglas Brodie, the portfolio's lead manager, and Svetlana Viteva and Luke Ward, joint deputy portfolio managers, will give a presentation and take questions. The Board will also be available to respond to any questions that you may have. I hope that you will be able to attend.

 

 

 

 

 

Henry CT Strutt

Chairman

4 December 2019

 

 

 

 

For a definition of terms see Glossary of Terms and Alternative Performance Measures, note 10.

*See disclaimer at the end of this announcement

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.
 

 

 

With the Company's net asset value ('NAV') growing by 7.4% in the year to 31 October 2019, modestly ahead of the 7.2% growth in the comparative index[1], the casual observer might conclude that the performance during the period under review was solid if somewhat unspectacular. The challenge with quoting returns over a given period is that it is ultimately defined by the start and ending values, while the story of what happened in the intervening period is glossed over. The current year is a clear case in point. Pronounced portfolio and stock market weakness in the latter stages of 2018 made way for a strong rally in the first half of 2019 which ultimately contributed to a 41% rise in the NAV from December lows to the highs in July. Towards the end of the Company's year, geopolitical and macro-economic concerns reappeared on the stock market's list of worries, denting our absolute and relative performance from August onwards.  The headline numbers also mask a wide dispersion of share price returns in the underlying portfolio holdings. Of the 107 companies held in the portfolio, 13 had share price moves (either positive or negative) that exceeded 75% over the year.

We have long been believers in two simple principles of long-term, active, investment management. First, the performance of a group of stocks, be it a portfolio or an index, will be driven most by a small subset of stocks that deliver exceptional share price returns.  Second, the compounding of fundamental business growth and, ultimately, share price performance works to the advantage of long-term investors. We believe these principles are at their most impactful when applied to the challenge of investing in innovative companies lower down the market capitalisation spectrum. It is here that stock-picking investors can unlock the deeply powerful opportunity of long duration transformational growth with large end markets accessible from a low starting base.

As portfolio managers, we see our role as one of identifying young innovative businesses with significant long-term growth potential, providing support to those companies that deliver on that potential and maximising the benefit by avoiding selling successful companies too early on that journey. What looks simple, is fraught with practical challenges; the required tolerance of uncertainty, the inevitable businesses that fail to develop as hoped, the bouts of volatility that stock markets will periodically throw at you. These challenges combine to make our style of equity investing an endeavour that is as much about temperament and adaptability as it is about analytical skill and logical foresight.

Following shareholder approval in January 2014, the Company's growth investing style was refocussed on the opportunity set lower down the market capitalisation spectrum. With sufficient time having passed, we think it now appropriate to reflect on the progress to date. While acknowledging that the background for growth investing has been relatively robust over this period, it is pleasing to note the 104.0% growth in the NAV since January 2014 is significantly ahead of the 83.1% achieved by the comparative index. However, like the earlier described annual portfolio returns, capturing the headline performance data is merely an output of the investment process. Only when we delve into understanding the inputs that drove the performance does the picture come to life.

Portfolio managers have many tools at their disposal to analyse and help explain their performance. In anchoring to our principles, we favour a simple illustration of how our actions and the portfolio have performed, and one that also hopefully highlights a model of how we might be able to generate robust portfolio returns over coming decades. To our minds, the largest contributor to both absolute and relative performance will come from the returns achieved by the holdings in the period that are held. This will be further impacted by the sizing of those holdings and any additions or reductions to them. Trying to answer the simple question 'did we invest in enough companies that had strongly positive share price performance' has intuitive appeal.

To illustrate our performance against this objective we show below the distribution of returns for all the stocks held within the portfolio since January 2014; each bar representing the return of each stock whilst held in the portfolio. This cumulative period holding analysis shows the broad distribution of returns achieved by the holdings from time of initial purchase to end of October 2019 or the date in which the holding was fully sold from the portfolio.

 

Asymmetry of Returns

 

 

Source: StatPro since 31 January 2014 to 31 October 2019, sterling.

 

The asymmetric profile of returns is striking and underscores both the opportunity and the risks of investing in immature, innovative companies.  The potential of losing up to 100% of your investment in a company (especially a young, unproven one) is an unpleasant, inescapable risk but it can be handsomely offset by the ability to make multiple times your investment in individual stocks. Asymmetry demonstrates that a handful of stocks will do the heavy lifting when it comes to portfolio performance. The 35 highest returning companies in the portfolio, on the left of the distribution, effectively accounted for the entirety of the Company's NAV performance over the period. When aggregated, the other 153 stocks off-set each others contribution.

The distribution of returns also speaks to the importance of long termism and patience in investing. Generalising around our 'failed' investments is difficult but ultimately these companies did not deliver on the potential that we saw in them. Whilst the reasons for that will be varied, we commonly see that when investments do not work as planned this is quickly reflected in share price performance. Conversely, unlocking the returns achieved by the companies on the left side of the graph is a multi-year endeavour that is driven by a combination of a long-term structural growth opportunity, execution and the power of compounding. We have also included the peak to trough drawdowns we had to tolerate in our ownership of the 10 best absolute performing holdings. We do not agree with the common perception in equity markets that this 'volatility' represents the risk associated with an equity. Given the returns these companies ultimately delivered, such drawdown periods represent opportunity more than risk. 

 

Portfolio update

 

We continue to find exciting immature, innovative companies in which to invest and remain enthusiastic about the prospects of the current holdings in aggregate. In the interim report we discussed, amongst others, the purchases of Appian, Zuora, Axon Enterprises, Kaleido Biosciences, SpaceX and Upwork. The two new purchases in the second half of the Company's year were Zai Lab and PSIQuantum. Zai Lab is a Shanghai-based emerging biopharmaceutical company developing drugs in oncology, autoimmune and infectious diseases. It is focused on bringing best-in-class assets to China via partnerships with leading global pharmaceutical companies and in therapeutic classes prioritised by the Chinese FDA. One of Zai Lab's partners, Novocure (an existing holding in the portfolio), has developed a patented, FDA approved, novel therapeutic which uses electrical fields to stop cancer cell division. Zai Lab has the exclusive license for this technology in China and the potential upside from this one division alone could be transformational for it.

PSIQuantum is an unlisted company working to develop commercial quantum computing. Current industry approaches employ exotic materials and error-prone electrons to achieve basic quantum functionality. In contrast, PSIQuantum's components are made from silicon, allowing them to use traditional semiconductor manufacturing techniques and use photons which are much more stable. Their approach shows signs of being a uniquely scalable solution and one which could realise the field's ultimate promise of solving the most complex, pressing and lucrative problems in the world today. Although in its infancy, we are impressed by the quality of the people, partnerships and processes that the Company has assembled to meet this challenge in the years ahead.

We added to the holding in US-based Codexis, a manufacturer of custom enzymes for the pharmaceutical industry. We see increasing scope for this business to broaden from supplying enzymes used in drug production towards one in which the enzymes themselves will be the active therapeutic. This would move the company higher up the value chain and could radically alter the financial characteristics of the business. 

In the second half of the financial year we added to the holding in Oxford Nanopore as some existing shares became available. We have been impressed with how nanopore sequencing is gaining traction in the scientific research community driven by technological differentiation and low-cost accessibility. Following strong share price performance, we further reduced the holding in the home-furnishing e-commerce company Wayfair and we exited the positions in Nanoco, Thin Film Electronics, Basware and Xaar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended

31 October 2019

For the year ended

31 October 2018

 

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Gains on investments

37,417 

37,417 

51,630 

51,630 

Currency gains

182 

182 

175 

175 

Income (note 2)

1,229 

1,229 

1,270 

1,270 

Investment management fee

(820)

(2,461)

(3,281)

(694)

(2,082)

(2,776)

Other administrative expenses

(671)

(671)

(737)

(737)

Net return before finance costs and taxation

(262)

35,138 

34,876

(161)

49,723 

49,562 

Finance costs of borrowings

(368)

(1,105)

(1,473)

(282)

(846)

(1,128)

Net return on ordinary activities before taxation

(630)

34,033 

33,403 

(443)

48,877 

48,434 

Tax on ordinary activities

(54)

(54)

(54)

(54)

Net return on ordinary activities after taxation

(684)

34,033 

33,349 

(497)

48,877 

48,380 

Net return per ordinary share* (note 4)

(0.23p)

11.57p 

11.34p

(0.19p)

18.68p

18.49p

 

* Prior year per share figures restated for the five for one share split on 28 January 2019.

The total column of this Statement represents the profit and loss account of the Company. The supplementary revenue and capital columns are prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies.

All revenue and capital items in this statement derive from continuing operations.

A Statement of Comprehensive Income is not required as the Company does not have any other comprehensive income and the net return on ordinary activities after taxation is both the profit and comprehensive income for the year.

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 October 2019

£'000

At 31 October 2018

£'000

Fixed assets

 

 

Investments held at fair value through profit or loss

572,859 

498,326 

Current assets

 

 

Debtors

155 

147 

Cash and cash equivalents

13,342 

23,607 

 

13,497 

23,754 

Creditors

 

 

Amounts falling due within one year (note 6)

(49,638)

(49,606)

Net current liabilities

(36,141)

(25,852)

Net assets

536,718

472,474 

 

 

 

Capital and reserves

 

 

Share capital

3,026 

2,861 

Share premium account

183,754 

153,024 

Special reserve

35,220 

35,220 

Capital reserve

314,930 

280,897 

Revenue reserve

(212)

472 

Shareholders' funds

536,718 

472,474 

Net asset value per ordinary share*

(after deducting borrowings at book value)

177.37p

 

165.16p

Ordinary shares in issue (note 8)

302,598,695 

286,073,695

 

 

* Prior year per share figures restated for the five for one share split on 28 January 2019.

  

 

 

 

 

For the year ended 31 October 2019

 

 

Share

 capital

£'000

Share premium account

£'000

 

Special reserve

£'000

 

Capital reserve

£'000

 

Revenue  

 reserve*  

£'000  

 

Shareholders'

funds

£'000

Shareholders' funds at 1 November 2018

2,861

153,024

35,220

280,897

472 

472,474

Ordinary shares issued (note 8)

165

30,730

30,895

Net return on ordinary activities after

 taxation

- 

34,033

(684)

33,349

Shareholders' funds at 31 October 2019

3,026

183,754

35,220

314,930

(212)

536,718

 

 

For the year ended 31 October 2018

 

 

Share

 capital

£'000

Share premium account

£'000

 

Special reserve

£'000

 

Capital reserve

£'000

 

Revenue  

 reserve*  

£'000  

 

Shareholders'

funds

£'000

Shareholders' funds at 1 November 2017

2,450

82,180

35,220

232,020

969   

352,839

Ordinary shares issued (note 8)

411

70,844

-   

71,255

Net return on ordinary activities after

 taxation

48,877

(497)  

48,380

Shareholders' funds at 31 October 2018

2,861

153,024

35,220

280,897

472   

472,474

 

*      The capital reserve balance as at 31 October 2019 includes investment holdings gains on fixed asset investments of £36,383,000 (2018 - gains of £21,569,000).

 

 

 

 

 

For the year ended

 31 October 2019

For the year ended

 31 October 2018

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

Net return on ordinary activities before taxation

 

33,403 

 

48,434 

Net gains on investments

 

(37,417)

 

(51,630)

Currency gains

 

(182)

 

(175)

Finance costs of borrowings

 

1,473 

 

1,128 

Overseas tax incurred

 

(56)

 

(52)

Changes in debtors and creditors

 

54 

 

116 

Cash from operations*

 

(2,725)

 

(2,179)

Interest paid

 

(1,469)

 

(1,083)

Net cash outflow from operating activities

 

(4,194)

 

(3,262)

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

Acquisitions of investments

(61,085)

 

(118,338)

 

Disposals of investments

23,969 

 

55,488 

 

Net cash outflow from investing activities

 

(37,116)

 

(62,850)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

Shares issued

30,895 

 

71,255 

 

Bank loans drawn

88,580 

 

25,057 

 

Bank loans repaid

(88,158)

 

(12,564)

 

Net cash inflow from financing activities

 

31,317 

 

83,748 

(Decrease)/Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

(9,993)

 

17,636 

Exchange movements

 

(272)

 

1,285 

Cash and cash equivalents at 1 November

 

23,607 

 

4,686 

Cash and cash equivalents at 31 October

 

13,342 

 

23,607 

 

 

 

 

 

*      Cash from operations includes dividends received of £1,026,000 (2018 - £1,086,000) and interest received of £216,000

 (2018 - £184,000)

 

 

Twenty Largest Holdings and Twelve Month Performance at

31 October 2019

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

Business

 

 

Country

Fair Value

2019

£'000

% of

total

assets*

Absolute performance

%

Relative performance

%

MarketAxess

Electronic bond trading platform

USA

31,837

5.4

74.7 

63.0 

Ocado

Online grocery retailer

UK

28,883

4.9

55.4 

45.0 

LendingTree

Online loan marketplace

USA

28,112

4.8

76.2 

64.4 

Alnylam   

  Pharmaceuticals

Therapeutic gene silencing

 

USA

 

22,046

 

3.8

 

6.5 

 

(0.6)

Novocure

Manufacturer of medical devices

  for cancer treatment

 

USA

 

21,709

 

3.7

 

113.5 

 

99.2 

Zillow#

US online real estate portal

USA

14,479

2.5

(19.9)

(25.3)

Chegg

Online educational company

USA

13,749

2.3

11.0 

3.5 

Puretech Health

IP commercialisation focused on

  healthcare

 

UK

 

12,401

 

2.1

 

45.9 

 

36.1 

Yext

Digital knowledge manager

USA

10,970

1.9

(14.5)

(20.2)

Galapagos

Clinical stage biotechnology   

  company

 

Belgium

 

10,941

 

1.9

 

76.7 

 

64.8 

Tesla

Electric cars, autonomous driving

  and solar energy

 

USA

 

10,929

 

1.9

 

(7.8)

 

(14.0)

Exact Sciences

Provides non-invasive molecular

  tests for early cancer detection

 

USA

 

10,369

 

1.8

 

21.0 

 

12.9 

Teladoc

Telemedicine services provider

USA

10,247

1.7

9.1 

1.8 

Temenos Group

Banking software

Switzerland

10,084

1.7

2.7 

(4.1)

Tandem Diabetes Care

Manufacturer of pumps for   

  diabetic patients

 

USA

 

9,973

 

1.7

 

61.7 

 

50.8

Baozun SPN ADR

Chinese e-commerce solution   

  provider

 

China

 

9,907

 

1.7

 

7.8 

 

0.6

AeroVironment

Small unmanned aircraft systems

USA

9,869

1.7

(36.4)

(40.6)

Xero

Cloud based accounting   

  software

New Zealand

 

9,653

 

1.6

 

66.5 

 

55.3

STAAR Surgical

Develops and manufactures high

  margin visual implants

 

USA

 

9,142

 

1.5

 

(19.3)

 

(24.7)

InfoMart

Internet platform for restaurant  

  supplies

 

Japan

 

9,112

 

1.5

 

45.3 

 

35.5

 

 

 

294,412

50.1

 

 

               

 

*     Total assets less current liabilities before the deduction of borrowings.

     Absolute and relative performance has been calculated on a total return basis over the period 1 November 2018 to 31 October 2019. Absolute performance is in sterling terms; relative performance is against S&P Global Small Cap Index (in sterling terms).

#        More than one line of stock held. Holding information represents the aggregates of both lines of stock.

 

Source: Baillie Gifford/StatPro and relevant underlying index providers. See disclaimer at the end of this announcement.

Past performance is not a guide to future performance.

 

 

 

 

List of Investments as at 31 October 2019

 

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

Business

 

 

 

Country

Fair

Value

2019

£'000

 

% of

total

assets

Fair

Value

2018

£'000

MarketAxess

Electronic bond trading platform

USA

31,837

5.4

18,355

Ocado

Online grocery retailer

UK

28,883

4.9

18,588

LendingTree

Online loan marketplace

USA

28,112

4.8

15,991

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals

Therapeutic gene silencing

USA

22,046

3.8

17,909

Novocure

Manufacturer of medical devices for

  cancer treatment

 

USA

 

21,709

 

3.7

 

10,179

Zillow Class C

US online real estate portal

USA

12,205

2.1

9,709

Zillow Class A

US online real estate portal

USA

2,274

0.4

2,869

 

 

 

14,479

2.5

12,570

Chegg

Online educational company

USA

13,749

2.3

12,383

Puretech Health

IP commercialisation focused on

  healthcare

 

UK

 

12,401

 

2.1

 

8,401

Yext

Digital knowledge manager

USA

10,970

1.9

4,024

Galapagos

Clinical stage biotechnology company

Belgium

10,941

1.9

6,208

Tesla

Electric cars, autonomous driving and

  solar energy

 

USA

 

10,929

 

1.9

 

11,853

Exact Sciences

Provides non-invasive molecular tests

  for early cancer detection

 

USA

 

10,369

 

1.8

 

10,767

Teladoc

Telemedicine services provider

USA

10,247

1.7

9,391

Temenos Group

Banking software

Switzerland

10,084

1.7

9,850

Tandem Diabetes Care

Manufacturer of pumps for diabetic

  patients

 

USA

 

9,973

 

1.7

 

6,165

Baozun SPN ADR

Chinese e-commerce solution provider

China

9,907

1.7

7,568

AeroVironment

Small unmanned aircraft systems

USA

9,869

1.7

15,529

Xero

Cloud based accounting software

New Zealand

 

9,653

 

1.6

 

5,801

STAAR Surgical

Develops and manufactures high margin

  visual implants

 

USA

 

9,142

 

1.5

 

11,303

InfoMart

Internet platform for restaurant supplies

Japan

9,112

1.5

6,306

Dexcom

Real time blood glucose monitoring

USA

8,692

1.5

7,576

Genmab

Therapeutic antibody company

Denmark

8,275

1.4

5,274

MonotaRO

Online business supplies

Japan

8,222

1.4

6,012

Codexis

Manufacturer of custom industrial

 enzymes

 

USA

 

8,075

 

1.4

 

7,302

Wayfair

Online furniture and homeware retailer

USA

7,736

1.3

17,989

Oxford Nanopore   

  Technologies U

Novel DNA sequencing technology

 

UK

 

7,710

 

1.3

 

4,982

IPG Photonics

High-power fibre lasers

USA

7,642

1.3

7,696

Peptidream

Drug discovery platform

Japan

7,482

1.3

4,925

Seattle Genetics

Biotechnology developer of monoclonal

  antibodies

 

USA

 

7,090

 

1.2

 

3,756

Splunk

Data diagnostics

USA

6,847

1.2

5,773

Genus

Animal breeding services

UK

6,716

1.2

4,874

Appian

Enterprise software developer

USA

6,571

1.1

Kingdee International

  Software

Enterprise management software

 

China

 

6,483

 

1.1

 

4,871

Space Exploration   

  Technologies Series J   

  Preferred U

Designs, manufactures and launches   

  advanced rockets and spacecraft

 

 

USA

 

 

4,446

 

 

0.8

 

 

Space Exploration  

  Technologies Series K 

  Preferred U

Designs, manufactures and launches  

  advanced rockets and spacecraft

 

 

USA

 

 

2,026

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

6,472

1.1

Pacira Pharamaceuticals

Development, commercialisation and

  manufacturing of proprietary

  pharmaceutical products

 

 

USA

 

 

6,457

 

 

1.1

 

 

7,890

             

 

List of Investments as at 31 October 2019

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

Business

 

 

 

Country

Fair

Value

2019

£'000

 

% of

total

assets

Fair

Value

2018

£'000

CyberArk Software

Cyber security solutions provider

Israel

6,319

1.1

4,299

Zai Lab ADR

Bio-pharmaceutical company

China

5,614

1.0

Morphosys

Therapeutic antibodies

Germany

5,396

0.9

4,656

Renishaw

Measurement and calibration equipment

UK

5,329

0.9

5,905

 

M3

Online medical database

Japan

5,212

0.9

3,530

 

BlackLine

Enterprise software developer

USA

5,027

0.8

5,046

 

Penumbra

Manufacturer of novel blood clot

  extraction technology

 

USA

 

4,860

 

0.8

 

4,290

 

iRobot

Domestic and military robots

USA

4,764

0.8

8,854

 

Digital Garage

Internet business incubator

Japan

4,607

0.8

3,851

 

Rightmove

UK online property portal

UK

4,129

0.7

3,119

 

Axon Enterprise

Law enforcement equipment and

  software provider

 

USA

 

4,034

 

0.7

 

 

Benefitfocus

Cloud based benefits software provider

USA

3,976

0.7

6,280

 

Faro Technologies

Designs and develops measurement

  devices

 

USA

 

3,974

 

0.7

 

4,263

 

Ambarella

Video compression and image

  processing semiconductors

 

USA

 

3,967

 

0.7

 

2,654

 

SEEK

Online recruitment portal

Australia

3,940

0.7

3,232

 

Akili Interactive Labs

  series C PreferredU

Digital medicine company

 

USA

 

3,864

 

0.7

 

3,913

 

KSQ Therapeutics Series

  C preferredU

Biotechnology target identification

  company

 

USA

 

3,864

 

0.7

 

3,913

 

PSIQuantum Series CU

Developer of commercial quantum   

  computing

 

USA

 

3,864

 

0.7

 

 

Reaction EnginesU

Advanced heat exchange company

UK

3,805

0.7

1,500

 

Dialog Semiconductor

Analogue chips for mobile phones

Germany

3,704

0.6

2,204

 

Grubhub

Online and mobile platform for   

  restaurant pick-up and delivery orders

 

USA

 

3,685

 

0.6

 

10,163

 

Ceres Power Holding

Developer of fuel cells

UK

3,514

0.6

2,729

 

National Instruments

Instrumentation equipment used in   

  research and testing

 

USA

 

3,498

 

0.6

 

4,192

 

Upwork

Online recruitment services provider

USA

3,483

0.6

 

ZOZO (formerly Start

  Today)

Internet fashion retailer

 

Japan

 

3,483

 

0.6

 

3,630

 

resTORbio

Clinical stage biopharmaceutical

  company

 

USA

 

3,453

 

0.6

 

4,132

 

Trupanion

Pet health insurance provider

USA

3,390

0.5

3,656

 

IP Group

Intellectual property commercialisation

USA

3,065

0.5

5,846

 

ASOS

Online fashion retailer

UK

2,926

0.5

4,522

 

Oxford Instruments

Produces advanced instrumentation

  equipment

 

UK

 

2,888

 

0.5

 

2,098

 

Victrex

High-performance thermo-plastics

UK

2,792

0.5

3,370

 

Zuora

Cloud based software developer

USA

2,700

0.4

 

 

 

 

List of Investments as at 31 October 2019

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

Business

 

 

 

Country

Fair

Value

2019

£'000

 

% of

total

assets

Fair Value

2018

£'000

Spire Global Series C

  preferredU

Manufacturer and operator of

  nanosatellites for data collection

 

USA

 

2,330

 

0.4

 

2,241

Spire Global Inc Sub   

  Convertible Promissory

  NoteU

Manufacturer and operator of   

  nanosatellites for data  collection

 

 

USA

 

266

 

0.0

 

 

 

USA

2,596

0.4

2,241

Stratasys

3D printer manufacturer

USA

2,310

0.4

2,156

Digimarc

Digital watermarking technology

USA

2,235

0.4

1,597

Cellectis

Biotech focused on genetic engineering

France

2,182

0.4

4,723

Cosmo Pharmaceuticals

Therapies for gastrointestinal diseases

Italy

1,905

0.3

3,289

Sensirion Holding DG

Manufacturer of gas and flow sensors

Switzerland

1,863

0.3 30.3

2,154

NuCana SPN ADR

An oncology-focused biotechnology

  company

 

UK

 

1,823

 

0.3

 

4,603

CEVA

Licenses DSP-based platforms

  applications to the

  semiconductor industry

 

 

USA

 

 

1,736

 

 

0.3

 

 

1,591

Evolent Health

Healthcare company which helps

  hospitals move to value-based   

  healthcare

USA

1,727

0.3

Suess Microtec

Fabrication and inspection equipment

Germany

1,699

0.3

Horizon Discovery

Customised cell lines to aid drug

  discovery

UK

1,674

0.3

Unity Biotechnology

Biotechnology company seeking to  

  develop anti-ageing therapies

USA

1,645

0.3

AxoGen

A regenerative medicine company

USA

1,629

0.3

Jianpu Technology ADR

Chinese consumer finance marketplace

China

1,571

0.3

Catapult Group

  International

Sports analytics focused on optimising

  athlete performance

Australia

1,356

0.2

Uxin ADR

E-commerce services provider

China

1,335

0.2

2,404

Rubius Therapeutics

Developer of novel therapies using engineered

  red blood cells

USA

1,050

0.2

1,406

4D Pharma

Bacteria derived novel therapeutics

UK

956

0.2

1,526

China Financial Services

Small and medium-sized enterprises lending in

  China

China

924

0.2

955

Ricardo

Automotive engineer

UK

879

0.2

969

Kaleido Biosciences

Clinical-stage healthcare company with a

  chemistry-driven approach to leveraging the

  microbiome to treat disease

USA

866

0.1

-

Zumtobel

Commercial lighting

Austria

634

0.1

738

Ilika

Discovery and development of materials for

  mass market applications

UK

617

0.1

500

Avacta Group

Analytical re agents and instrumentation

UK

600

0.1

892

Aduro Biotechnology

Immunotherapy services provider

USA

516

0.1

1,938

Adaptimmune   

  Therapeutics

  ADR

Clinical stage biopharmaceutical company

UK

476

0.1

3,400

 

List of Investments as at 31 October 2019

 

 

 

 

Name

 

 

 

Business

 

 

 

Country

Fair Value

2019

£'000

 

% of

total

assets

Fair Value

2018

£'000

Acacia Research

Patent licenser

USA

436

0.1

569

Tissue Regenix

Regenerative medical devices

UK

399

0.1

1,344

Foamix Pharmaceuticals

Drug reformulation technology

Israel

301

0.1

379

C4X Discovery Holdings

Rational drug design and optimisation

UK

238

0.1

1,144

Summit Therapeutics

Drug discovery and development

UK

213

0.0

255

Sarine Technologies

Systems for diamond grading and cutting

Singapore

136

0.0

257

hVIVO (formerly

  Retroscreen Virology)

Outsourced pre-clinical analytical services

UK

 

115

 

0.0

 

300

Applied Graphene

  Materials

Manufactures graphene nanoplatelets

UK

 

108

 

0.0

 

261

Xeros Technology

  Group

Polymer technology company with laundry and textile applications

UK

 

77

 

0.0

 

860

GI Dynamics

Develops and markets medical devices

Australia

18

0.0

14

Velocys

Gas to liquid technology

UK

6

0.0

18

China Lumena New

  Materials

Mines, processes and manufactures natural

  thenardite products

China

 

0

 

0.0

 

0

Ensogo

South East Asian e-commerce

Australia

0

0.0

0

Total equities

 

 

572,859

97.9

 

Net liquid assets

 

 

12,455

2.1

 

Total assets at fair value*

 

 

585,314

100.0

 

*     Total assets less current liabilities before deduction of borrowings.

U     Denotes unlisted security.

 

 

 

Distribution of total assets* by industry

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industry Analysis

31 October 2019

% of total assets*

 

Portfolio Weightings

(relative to comparative index†)

at 31 October 2019

% points overweight/(underweight)

Equities:

Biotechnology

16.6

 

13.5 

 

Software

14.1

 

10.0 

 

Healthcare Equipment and Supplies

9.7

 

7.3 

 

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail

9.4

 

8.7 

 

Capital Markets

6.0

 

3.6 

 

Thrifts and Mortgage Finance

4.8

 

3.9 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components

4.5

 

1.6 

 

Aerospace and Defence

4.1

 

2.9 

 

Life Sciences Tools and Services

3.8

 

2.9 

 

Healthcare Technology

3.6

 

3.3 

 

Pharmaceuticals

3.5

 

1.5 

 

Interactive Media and Services

3.2

 

2.5 

 

Diversified Consumer Services

2.4

 

1.4 

 

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment

1.9

 

(0.6)

 

Automobiles

1.9

 

1.7 

 

Professional Services

1.6

 

0.1 

 

Trading Companies and Distributors

1.4

 

(0.1)

 

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals

1.1

 

0.5 

 

Household Durables

0.8

 

(1.0)

 

IT Services

0.8

 

(1.9)

 

Electrical Equipment

0.7

 

(0.5)

 

Insurance

0.6

 

(2.5)

 

Chemicals

0.5

    

(2.3)

 

Internet and Catalogue Retail

0.5

 

0.5 

 

Consumer Finance

0.4

 

(0.3)

 

Machinery

0.0

 

(4.5)

 

Energy Equipment and Services

0.0

 

(0.8)

 

Net Liquid Assets

2.1

 

 

Total assets*

100.0

 

 

* Total assets less current liabilities before deduction of borrowings.

 

 

 

S&P Global Small Cap Index (in sterling terms). Weightings exclude industries where the Company has no exposure.

 

See disclaimer at the end of this announcement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Geographical Analysis

 

 

31 October 2019

%

31 October 2018

%

North America

 

59.5

58.7

 

 

USA

59.5

58.7

 

Europe

 

24.9

25.8

 

 

United Kingdom

15.8

16.9

 

 

Eurozone

4.5

4.7

 

 

Developed Europe (non euro)

4.6

4.2

 

Asia

 

11.0

9.2

 

 

Japan

6.5

5.4

 

 

China

4.5

3.8

 

 

Singapore

0.0

0.0

 

Australasia

 

2.5

1.9

 

 

Australia

0.9

0.8

 

 

New Zealand

1.6

1.1

 

Total equities

97.9

95.6

 

Net liquid assets

2.1

4.4

 

Total assets*

100.0

100.0

 

 

Sectoral Analysis

 

 

31 October 2019

%

 

31 October 2018

%

 

Consumer Discretionary

 

14.9

 

18.4

 

Financials

 

11.8

 

9.3

 

Healthcare

 

37.2

 

36.8

 

Industrials

 

7.9

 

6.3

 

Information Technology

 

22.4

 

21.0

 

Materials

 

0.5

 

0.7

 

Communication Services

 

3.2

 

3.1

 

Net Liquid Assets

 

2.1

 

4.4

 

Total assets*

 

100.0

 

100.0

 

 * Total assets less current liabilities before deduction of borrowings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.    

The Financial Statements for the year to 31 October 2019 have been prepared in accordance with FRS 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous financial year.

In accordance with the Financial Reporting Council's guidance on going concern and liquidity risk, the Directors have undertaken a rigorous review of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. An explanation of the Company's principal risks and how they are managed is set out on pages 8 and 9 and contained in note 15 to the Annual Report Financial Statements.

The Company's assets, the majority of which are investments in quoted securities which are readily realisable, exceed its liabilities significantly. All borrowings require the prior approval of the Board. Gearing levels and compliance with borrowing covenants are reviewed by the Board on a regular basis.

Accordingly, the Financial Statements have been prepared on the going concern basis as it is the Directors' opinion, having assessed the principal risks and other matters set out in the Viability Statement on page 9 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements, that the Company will continue in operational existence for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of these Financial Statements.

The Directors consider the Company's functional and presentational currency to be sterling as the Company's share capital is denominated in sterling, the entity is listed on a sterling stock exchange in the UK, the Company's shareholders are predominantly based in the UK and the Company and its investment manager, who are subject to the UK's regulatory environment, are also UK based.

2.    

Income

2019

£'000

2018

£'000

Income from investments

 

 

UK dividends

433

448

Overseas dividends

574

638

Overseas interest

5

 

1,012

1,086

Other Income

 

 

 

Deposit interest

217

184

 

Total income

1,229

1,270

 

Total income comprises:

 

 

 

Dividends from financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss

1,007

1,086

 

Interest from financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss

5

 

Interest from financial assets not designated at fair value through profit or loss

217

184

 

 

1,229

1,270

3.

The Company has appointed Baillie Gifford & Co Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Baillie Gifford & Co, as its Alternative Investment Fund Manager and Company Secretaries. Baillie Gifford & Co Limited has delegated portfolio management services to Baillie Gifford & Co. Dealing activity and transaction reporting have been further sub-delegated to Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited. The Management Agreement can be terminated on three months' notice.

With effect from 1 January 2019 the annual management fee is 0.75% on the first £50 million of net assets, 0.65% on the next £200 million of net assets and 0.55% on the remaining net assets. Prior to 1 January 2019 the fee was 0.95% on the first £50 million of net assets, 0.65% on the next £200 million of net assets and 0.55% on the remaining net assets. Management fees are calculated and payable quarterly.

 

 

 

4.

 

Net return per ordinary share

 

Revenue

2019

 Capital

 

Total

 

Revenue

2018

Capital

 

Total

Net return on ordinary activities after     taxation*

 

(0.23p)

11.57p

11.34p

 

(0.19p)

18.68p

18.49p

 

 

Revenue return per ordinary share is based on the net revenue loss on ordinary activities after taxation of £684,000 (2018 - net revenue loss of £497,000) and on 294,171,777 (2018 - 261,676,350) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares during the year.

 

Capital return per ordinary share is based on the net capital gain for the financial year of £34,033,000 (2018 - net capital gain of £48,877,000) and on 294,171,777 (2018 - 261,676,350) ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year.

 

There are no dilutive or potentially dilutive shares in issue.

*Prior year per share restated for the five for one share split on 28 January 2019.

5.

There are no dividends paid and proposed in respect of the financial year. There is no revenue available for distribution by way of dividend for the year (2019 - revenue loss of £684,000; 2018 - revenue loss of £497,000) which is the basis on which the requirements of section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act are considered.

6.

The Company had a five year fixed rate facility with National Australia Bank Limited with an expiry date of 30 September 2019 and a five year £25 million revolving credit facility with National Australia Bank Limited with an expiry date of 29 June 2023. On its expiry the five year fixed rate facility was refinanced with a five year £36 million revolving credit facility with National Australia Bank Limited with an expiry date of 30 September 2024, which was an approximate sterling equivalent amount to the borrowings drawn under the fixed rate facility at the expiry date. At 31 October 2019 the drawings were €1,410,900, US$18,545,250 and £8,750,000 under each of the two revolving credit facilities (31 October 2018 - €9,400,000, US$25,600,000 and £7,500,000 under the fixed rate facility and €2,128,263, US$9,895,500 and £3,125,000 under the £25 million floating rate facility).

 

The fair value of the bank loans at 31 October 2019 was £48,596,000 (31 October 2018 - £48,669,000).

 

7.

The Company incurred transaction costs on purchases of £18,000
(2018 - £44,000 and on sales of £13,000 (2018 - £25,000).

8.

At the Annual General Meeting on 23 January 2019 the Company renewed its authority to purchase shares in the market, in respect of 43,013,609 ordinary shares (equivalent to approximately 14.99% of its issued share capital at that date). No shares were bought back during the years to 31 October 2019 or 2018. At 31 October 2019 the Company had authority to buy back 43,013,609 ordinary shares.

The Company also has authority to allot shares under section 551 of the Companies Act 2006. The Board has authorised use of this authority to issue new shares at a premium to net asset value in order to enhance the net asset value per share for existing shareholders and improve the liquidity of the Company's shares. In the year to 31 October 2019 the Company issued a total of 16,525,000 shares on a non pre-emptive basis (nominal value £165,000, representing 5.8% of the issued share capital at 31 October 2018) at a premium to net asset value (on the basis of debt valued at book value) raising net proceeds of £30,895,000 ( (In the year to 31 October 2018 - 41,052,100 shares with a nominal value of £411,000, representing 16.8% of the issued share capital at 31 October 2017 raising net proceeds of £71,255,000).

9.

The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 October 2019. The financial information for 2019 is derived from the statutory accounts for 2019 which will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company's Annual General Meeting. The financial information for 2018 is derived from the statutory accounts for 2018 which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The Auditors have reported on the 2019 accounts, their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

 

10.

Glossary of Terms and Alternative Performance Measures ('APM')

 

An alternative performance measure is a financial measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position, or cash flows, other than a financial measure defined or specified in the applicable financial reporting framework.

 

Total Assets

 

The total value of all assets held less all liabilities other than liabilities in the form of borrowings.

 

Net Asset Value ('NAV')

 

Also described as shareholders' funds, net asset value is the value of total assets less liabilities (including borrowings). Net asset value can be calculated on the basis of borrowings stated at book value and fair value. An explanation of each basis is provided below. The net asset value per share is calculated by dividing the amount by the number of ordinary shares in issue excluding any shares held in treasury.

 

Net Asset Value (Borrowings at Book Value)

 

Borrowings are valued at their nominal book value. The value of the borrowings at book and fair value are set out on page 56 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

 

Net Asset Value (Borrowings at Fair Value) (APM)

 

 

Borrowings are valued at an estimate of their market worth. The value of the borrowings at book and fair value are set out on page 56 of the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

 

Net Asset Value (Reconciliation of NAV at Book Value to NAV at Fair Value)

 

 

31 October

2019

31 October

2018

Net Asset Value per ordinary share (borrowings at book value)

177.37p

165.16p

Shareholders' Funds (borrowings at book value)

£536,718,000 

£472,474,000 

Add: book value of borrowings

£48,596,000 

£48,628,000 

Less: fair value of borrowings

(£48,596,000)

(£48,669,000)

 

Shareholders' funds (borrowings at fair value)

£536,718,000 

£472,433,000 

 

Number of shares in issue

302,598,695 

286,073,695 

 

Net Asset Value per ordinary share (borrowings at fair value)*

177.37p

165.14p

 

At 31 October 2019 all borrowings are in the form of short term floating rate borrowings and their fair value is considered equal to their book value, hence there is no difference in the net asset value at book value and fair value.

* Prior year figures restated for the five for one share split on 28 January 2019.

 

 

Net Liquid Assets

Net liquid assets comprise current assets less current liabilities, excluding borrowings.

 

Discount/Premium (APM)

 

As stock markets and share prices vary, an investment trust's share price is rarely the same as its net asset value. When the share price is lower than the net asset value per share it is said to be trading at a discount. The size of the discount is calculated by subtracting the share price from the net asset value per share and is usually expressed as a percentage of the net asset value per share. If the share price is higher than the net asset value per share, this situation is called a premium.

 

Total Return (APM)

 

The
total return is the return to shareholders after reinvesting the net dividend on the date that the share price goes ex-dividend.

 

Compound Annual Return (APM)

 

The compound annual return converts the return over a period of longer than one year to a constant annual rate of return applied to the compound value at the start of each year.

 

Ongoing Charges (APM)

 

The total recurring expenses (excluding the Company's cost of dealing in investments and borrowing costs) incurred by the Company as a percentage of the average net asset value (with debt at fair value). The ongoing charges have been calculated on the basis prescribed by the Association of Investment Companies.

 

10.

Glossary of Terms and Alternative Performance Measures ('APM') (Ctd)

            Ongoing Charges Calculation

 

 

31 October

2019

31 October

2018

Investment management fee

£3,281,000

£2,776,000

Other administrative expenses

£671,000

£737,000

Total Expenses (a)

£3,952,000

£3,513,000

Average daily cum-income net asset value (with debt at fair value) (b)

£525,391,000

£432,553,000

 

Ongoing charges (a)÷(b) (expressed as a percentage)

0.75%

0.81%

 

 

 

 

 

Gearing (APM)

 

 

At its simplest, gearing is borrowing. Just like any other public company, an investment trust can borrow money to invest in additional investments for its portfolio. The effect of the borrowing on the shareholders' assets is called 'gearing'. If the Company's assets grow, the shareholders' assets grow proportionately more because the debt remains the same. But if the value of the Company's assets falls, the situation is reversed. Gearing can therefore enhance performance in rising markets but can adversely impact performance in falling markets.

 

Gearing is the Company's borrowings at book value less cash and cash equivalents (including any outstanding trade settlements) expressed as a percentage of shareholders' funds.

 

 

31 October

2019

31 October

2018

Borrowings (at book value)

£48,596,000 

£48,628,000 

Less: cash and cash equivalents

(£13,342,000)

(£23,607,000)

Less: sales for subsequent settlement

Add: purchases for subsequent settlement

 

Adjusted borrowings (a)

£35,254,000 

£25,021,000 

 

Shareholders' funds

£536,718,000 

£472,474,000 

 

Gearing: (a) as a percentage of (b)

7%

5%

 

 

 

Potential gearing is the Company's borrowings expressed as a percentage of shareholders' funds.

 

 

 

31 October

2019

31 October

2018

Borrowings (at book value) (a)

£48,596,000

£48,628,000

Shareholders' funds (b)

£536,718,000

£472,474,000

Potential gearing (a) ÷ (b) (expressed as a percentage)

9%

10%

 

 

 

Leverage (APM)

 

For the purposes of the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive, leverage is any method which increases the Company's exposure, including the borrowing of cash and the use of derivatives. It is expressed as a ratio between the Company's exposure and its net asset value and can be calculated on a gross and a commitment method. Under the gross method, exposure represents the sum of the Company's positions after the deduction of sterling cash balances, without taking into account any hedging and netting arrangements. Under the commitment method, exposure is calculated without the deduction of sterling cash balances and after certain hedging and netting positions are offset against each other.

 

 

10.

Glossary of Terms and Alternative Performance Measures ('APM') (Ctd)

 

Active Share (APM)

 

Active share, a measure of how actively a portfolio is managed, is the percentage of the portfolio that differs from its comparative index. It is calculated by deducting from 100 the percentage of the portfolio that overlaps with the comparative index. An active share of 100 indicates no overlap with the index and an active share of zero indicates a portfolio that tracks the index.

 

Share Split

 

A share split (or stock split) is the process by which a company divides its existing shares into multiple shares. Although the number of shares outstanding increases, the total value of the shares remains the same with respect to the pre-split value.

 

Unlisted Company

 

An unlisted company means a company whose shares are not available to the general public for trading and not listed on a stock exchange.

 

11.

The Annual Report and Financial Statements will be available on the Edinburgh Worldwide page of the Managers' website http://www.edinburghworldwide.co.uk† on or around 17 December 2019.

 

 

 

         Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on    

           the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

 

 

Third Party Data Provider Disclaimer

No third party data provider ('Provider') makes any warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the data contained herewith nor as to the results to be obtained by recipients of the data. No Provider shall in any way be liable to any recipient of the data for any inaccuracies, errors or omissions in the index data included in this document, regardless of cause, or for any damages (whether direct or indirect) resulting therefrom.

 

No Provider has any obligation to update, modify or amend the data or to otherwise notify a recipient thereof in the event that any matter stated herein changes or subsequently becomes inaccurate.

 

Without limiting the foregoing, no Provider shall have any liability whatsoever to you, whether in contract (including under an indemnity), in tort (including negligence), under a warranty, under statute or otherwise, in respect of any loss or damage suffered by you as a result of or in connection with any opinions, recommendations, forecasts, judgements, or any other conclusions, or any course of action determined, by you or any third party, whether or not based on the content, information or materials contained herein.

 

S&P Index Data

The S&P Global Small Cap Index ('Index') is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, or its affiliates ('SPDJI'). Standard & Poor's® and S&P® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, a division of S&P Global ('S&P'); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC ('Dow Jones'). Neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the ability of any index to accurately represent the asset class or market sector that it purports to represent and neither S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC, their affiliates nor their third party licensors shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of any index or the data included therein.

 

- Ends -

 

 

[1] S&P Global Small Cap Index total return (in sterling terms)

 


This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
 
END
 
 
FR CKQDDOBDDNBK
Investor Meets Company
UK 100