Final Results

RNS Number : 4792S

Lowland Investment Co PLC

21 November 2011

 



Page 1 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

This announcement contains regulated information

Key Data per ordinary share	30 September 2011	30 September 2010	Change %
Net asset value #	811.0p	770.3p	+5.3
Share price#	762.5p	699.5p	+9.0
Net revenue return	28.8p	22.5p	+28.0
Total return	68.3p	139.5p
First interim dividend	10.5p	10.0p	+5.0
Second interim dividend	17.5p	17.0p	+2.9
Gearing*	14.8%	12.6%
Total expense ratio **     - excluding the performance fee	0.69%	0.70%
- including the performance fee	1.03%	0.70%

^#    Excluding reinvested income.

   *   Defined here as investments as a percentage of equity shareholders' funds minus 100.

** Defined here as total management and administrative expenses, as a percentage of the average shareholders' funds

     at the beginning and end of the year.

Performance to 30 September 2011	1 year %	5 years %	10 years %
Net asset value total return(1)	8.6	4.3	135.7
Share price total return(1)	12.6	2.3	140.9
Peer group net asset value total return(2)	-0.5	-0.7	76.7
FTSE All-Share Index (total return)(3)	-4.4	4.0	59.2

Source: 

(1) Morningstar for the AIC using cum income fair value net asset value for one year and capital net asset value plus income reinvested for 5 and 10 years.

(2) Morningstar for the AIC. The performance of the AIC UK Income & Growth Sector (arithmetic average).

(3) Morningstar for the AIC (gross income reinvested).

Page 2 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

MANAGEMENT REPORT

Commenting on the results Chairman, John Hancox, said:

Performance for the year to 30 September 2011

I am pleased to report that your Company had a satisfactory year, once again outperforming its benchmark index significantly which it has done for the last 11 years except for 2008.  James Henderson, our Portfolio Manager, is to be congratulated on this performance.  The net asset value total return was a positive 8.6% whereas the FTSE All-Share total return was negative at -4.4%. Analysis of how the outperformance was achieved is shown in the Portfolio Manager's report in the Annual Report and Financial Statements. The net asset value capital return per share rose by 5.3%, the discount to net asset value reduced from 9.2% to 6.0% and the share price rose by 9.0% to 762.5p.

Dividends

The total dividend for the year will be 28.0p (2010: 27.0p), comprising a first interim dividend of 10.5p per share (2010:10.0p) followed by a second interim dividend of 17.5p per share (2010:17.0p). This is an increase of 3.7%.  The revenue per share for the year was 28.8p, an increase of 28.0% from last year's 22.5p.  This means that after two years of using the Revenue Reserve to support our dividend, £221,000, representing 0.8p per share, will be added back to it this year. The Revenue Reserve is built up in years of underlying dividend growth from the companies in the portfolio to provide a buffer so that when companies have to cut their dividends we can maintain or increase the dividend we pay to our shareholders.  This has enabled Lowland to maintain or increase its dividend every year for the last 35 years.

Expenses and Fees

The total expense ratio, which is the management fee and other non-interest expenses as a percentage of shareholders' funds excluding the performance fee, was 0.69% (2010: 0.70%), and including the performance fee was 1.03%.   A performance fee of £698,000 (wholly charged to capital) was paid in respect of the year to 30 September 2011. This fee, and the basic management fee of 0.5% of net assets, are together capped at a total of 0.75% of net assets.

Page 3 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

Chairman's comments (continued)

Investment Review

The recovery in equities, which had been fuelled by economic growth, ended during the summer as macro economic concerns came again to dominate.  The possible default of Greece and its ramifications is at the centre of the worries but the slowdown in the USA and possibly China compound them.  Meanwhile in aggregate the companies we invest in have paid down debt, increased dividend cover and are expected to grow their profits.   Their action in controlling costs is producing substantial cash generation.  This is resulting in good dividend growth from the stocks in the portfolio and is behind our stance of having a reasonable level of gearing to equities.

Board

As mentioned last year, I will be retiring at the conclusion of the 2012 AGM having served as a Director since February 2000 and as Chairman since December 2004.  I am pleased that Peter Troughton has agreed to become Chairman.  He has been a Director of Lowland for many years and his experience of past cycles of both the Company and the markets over this period will be of benefit to shareholders in the face of uncertain times ahead. His length of service is counterbalanced by the rest of the Board, three of whose four members have been appointed within the last three years. I am proud to be leaving Lowland in the hands of a very strong and experienced Board.

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting will be held at the offices of Henderson Global Investors, 201 Bishopsgate, London on Wednesday 18 January 2011 at 12.30 pm.  Full details of the business to be conducted at the meeting are set out in the Notice of the meeting which has been sent to shareholders with this report.  As usual our Portfolio Manager, James Henderson, will be making a presentation and all shareholders are most welcome to attend.

Outlook

Dividend growth from the companies in our portfolio has been strong over the past year and the Portfolio Manager expects this to continue.  Valuations of equities are low by historic standards and the companies we hold are in the main strong and therefore well positioned for the difficult economic conditions likely to prevail for the foreseeable future. The valuations currently placed on the shares which we hold do not reflect the growth that we expect to be achieved and this makes us positive about the prospects for Lowland.

Page 4 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

With the assistance of the Investment Manager, the Board has drawn up a Risk Map, which identifies the key risks to the Company. These key risks fall broadly under the following categories:

● Investment and Strategy

An inappropriate investment strategy, for example, in terms of asset allocation or level of gearing, may result in underperformance against the Company's benchmark index and the companies in its peer group, and also in the Company's shares trading on a wider discount. The Board manages these risks by ensuring a diversification of investments and a regular review of the extent of borrowings. The Investment Manager operates in accordance with investment limits and restrictions and policy determined by the Board, which includes limits on the extent to which borrowings may be employed. The Board reviews the limits and restrictions on a regular basis and the Investment Manager confirms adherence to them every month. The Investment Manager provides the Board with management information, including performance data and reports and shareholder analyses. The directors monitor the implementation and results of the investment process with the Portfolio Manager at each Board meeting and monitor risk factors in respect of the portfolio. Investment strategy is reviewed at each meeting.

● Market

Market risk arises from uncertainty about the future prices of the Company's investments.

● Accounting, legal and regulatory

In order to qualify as an investment trust, the Company must comply with Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 ("s.1158"). A breach of Section 1158 could result in the Company losing investment trust status and, as a consequence, realised gains in the Company's portfolio would be subject to Corporation Tax. Compliance with the requirements of Section 1158 are monitored by the Investment Manager and the results are reported at each Board meeting.

The Company must comply with the provisions of the Companies Act and, since its shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange, the UKLA's Listing and Disclosure Rules. A breach of the Companies Act could result in the Company and/or the directors being fined or the subject of criminal proceedings. A breach of the UKLA Rules could result in the suspension of the Company's shares; which in turn would breach Section 1158. The Board relies on its Company Secretary and advisers to ensure adherence to the Companies Act and the UKLA Rules.

● Operational

Disruption to, or the failure of, the Investment Manager's accounting, dealing or payment systems or the Custodian's records could prevent the accurate reporting or monitoring of the Company's financial position. The Investment Manager contracts some of the operational functions (principally those relating to trade processing, investment administration and accounting), to BNP Paribas Securities Services.

Details of how the Board monitors the services provided by the Investment Manager and its other suppliers, and the key elements designed to provide effective internal control, are explained further in the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

Page 5 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES (continued)

● Financial

The financial risks faced by the Company include market price risk, interest rate risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. Details of these risks and how they are managed are disclosed in the Annual Report and Financial Statements.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The provision of investment management, accounting, company secretarial and administrative services has been out-sourced to Henderson Global Investors Limited ("Henderson" or the "Investment Manager"). This is the only related party arrangement currently in place. Other than fees payable by the Company in the ordinary course of business, there have been no material transactions with this related party affecting the financial position or performance of the Company during the year under review.

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES UNDER DTR 4.1.12

Each of the directors confirms that, to the best of their knowledge:

• the financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law), give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the Company; and

• the Directors' Report in this Annual Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.

For and on behalf of the Board

Rupert Barclay

Director

21 November 2011

Page 6 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

Audited Income Statement

for the year ended 30 September 2011

	Year ended 30 September 2011			Year ended 30 September 2010
	Revenue Return £'000	Capital Return £'000	Total £'000	Revenue Return £'000	Capital Return £'000	Total £'000
Gains on investments held at fair value through profit or loss	-	11,112	11,112	-	30,917	30,917
Income from investments (note 2)	9,781	-	9,781	8,303	-	8,303
Other interest receivable and similar income (note 3)	125	-	125	107	-	107
	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------
Gross revenue and capital gains	9,906	11,112	21,018	8,410	30,917	39,327
Management fee	(1,043)	-	(1,043)	(924)	-	(924)
Performance fee	-	(698)	(698)	-	-	-
Other administrative expenses	(402)	-	(402)	(399)	-	(399)
	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------
Net return on ordinary activities before finance charges and taxation	8,461	10,414	18,875	7,087	30,917	38,004
Finance charges	(738)	-	(738)	(1,064)	-	(1,064)
	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------
Net return on ordinary activities before taxation	7,723	10,414	18,137	6,023	30,917	36,940
Taxation on net return on ordinary activities	(105)	-	(105)	(90)	-	(90)
	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------	---------
Net return on ordinary activities after taxation	7,618	10,414	18,032	5,933	30,917	36,850
	=====	=====	=====	=====	=====	=====
Return per ordinary share - basic and diluted (note 4)	28.8p	39.5p	68.3p	22.5p	117.0p	139.5p
	=====	=====	=====	=====	=====	=====

The total columns of this statement represent the Income Statement of the Company. The revenue return and capital return columns are supplementary to this and are prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies.  All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.  No operations were acquired or discontinued during the year.  The Company had no recognised gains or losses other than those disclosed in the Income Statement.

Page 7 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds

for the years ended 30 September 2011 and 30 September 2010

Year ended 30 September 2011	Called up share capital £'000	Share premium account £'000	Capital redemption reserve £'000	Other capital reserves £'000	Revenue reserve £'000	Total £'000
At 30 September 2010	6,604	53,561	1,007	134,986	7,326	203,484
Net return on ordinary   activities after taxation	-	-	-	10,414	7,618	18,032
Second interim dividend (17.0p) for the year ended 30 September 2010 paid 22 December 2010	-	-	-	-	(4,491)	(4,491)
First interim dividend (10.5p) for the year ended 30 September 2011 paid 17 June 2011	-	-	-	-	(2,774)	(2,774)
	---------	---------	---------	----------	---------	----------
At 30 September 2011	6,604	53,561	1,007	145,400	7,679	214,251
	=====	=====	=====	======	=====	======
Year ended 30 September 2010	Called up share capital £'000	Share premium account £'000	Capital redemption reserve £'000	Other capital reserves £'000	Revenue reserve £'000	Total £'000
At 30 September 2009	6,604	53,561	1,007	104,069	8,392	173,633
Net return on ordinary activities after taxation	-	-	-	30,917	5,933	36,850
Final dividend (16.5p) for the year   ended 30 September 2009 paid 22 December 2009	-	-	-	-	(4,359)	(4,359)
First interim dividend (10.0p) for the year ended 30 September 2010 paid 18 June 2010	-	-	-	-	(2,642)	(2,642)
Refund of unclaimed dividends over 12 years old	-	-	-	-	2	2
	---------	---------	---------	----------	---------	----------
At 30 September 2010	6,604	53,561	1,007	134,986	7,326	203,484
	=====	=====	=====	======	=====	======

Page 8 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

Audited Balance Sheet

at 30 September 2011

	2011 £'000	2010 £'000
Investments held at fair value through profit or loss
Listed at market value in the United Kingdom	220,125	205,140
Quoted at market value on AIM	16,249	17,384
Listed at market value overseas	8,400	5,243
Unquoted	1,281	1,307
	-----------	-----------
	246,055	229,074
	-----------	-----------
Current assets
Debtors	1,559	1,562
Cash at bank	1,297	2,282
	-----------	-----------
	2,856	3,844
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year	(34,660)	(29,434)
	-----------	-----------
Net current liabilities	(31,804)	(25,590)
	-----------	-----------
Total net assets	214,251	203,484
	======	======
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital (note 6)	6,604	6,604
Share premium account	53,561	53,561
Capital redemption reserve	1,007	1,007
Other capital reserves	145,400	134,986
Revenue reserve	7,679	7,326
	-----------	-----------
Shareholders' funds	214,251	203,484
	======	======
Net asset value per ordinary share (note 7)	811.0p	770.3p
	======	======

Page 9 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

Audited Cash Flow Statement

for the year ended 30 September 2011

	2011 £'000	2011 £'000	2010 £'000	2010 £'000
Net cash inflow from operating activities		8,163		6,774
Servicing of finance
Interest paid	(803)		(1,122)
	----------		----------
Net cash outflow from servicing of finance		(803)		(1,122)
Taxation
Tax recovered	63		95
	----------		----------
Net tax recovered		63		95
Financial investment
Purchase of investments	(43,606)		(28,542)
Sales of investments	36,992		24,780
	----------		----------
Net cash outflow from financial investment		(6,614)		(3,762)
Equity dividends paid		(7,265)		(6,999)
		----------		----------
Net cash outflow before financing activities		(6,456)		(5,014)
Financing
Repayment of Debenture Stock	-		(6,000)
Net loans drawndown	5,500		11,000
	----------		----------
		5,500		5,000
		----------		----------
Decrease in cash		(956)		(14)
		======		======
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
Decrease in cash as above		(956)		(14)
Repayment of Debenture Stock		-		6,000
Net cash inflow from movement in loans		(5,500)		(11,000)
Exchange movements		(29)		(38)
		---------		---------
Movement in net debt		(6,485)		(5,052)
Net debt at 1 October		(25,718)		(20,666)
		----------		----------
Net debt at 30 September		(32,203)		(25,718)
		======		======

Page 10 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

Notes to the Accounts:

1.

Accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and under the historical cost basis of accounting, as modified to include the revaluation of investments. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice and with the Statement of Recommended Practice ("the SORP") for investment trusts issued by the Association of Investment Companies ("the AIC") in January 2009. All of the Company's operations are of a continuing nature. The Company's accounting policies are consistent with the prior year.

2.	Income from investments	2011 £'000	2010 £'000
	UK dividends:
	Quoted investments	8,451	7,316
	Unquoted	43	43
		-------	--------
		8,494	7,359
		-------	--------
	Non UK dividends:
	Overseas dividend income	1,192	820
	Property income dividends	92	119
	Interest income	3	5
		--------	--------
	Non UK dividends	1,287	944
		--------	--------
		9,781	8,303
		=====	=====

3.	Other interest receivable and similar income		2011 £'000		2010 £'000
	Deposit interest		1		2
	Stock lending fees		60		7
	Income from underwriting		64		98
			-------		-------
			125		107
			=====		=====
4.	Return per ordinary share - basic and diluted
	The return per ordinary share is based on the net return attributable to the ordinary shares of £18,032,000 (2010: £36,850,000) and on 26,417,427 ordinary shares (2010: 26,417,427) being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year. The return per ordinary share can be further analysed between revenue and capital, as below:
		2011 £'000		2010 £'000
	Net revenue return	7,618		5,933
	Net capital return	10,414		30,917
		---------		---------
	Net total return	18,032		36,850
		=====		=====
	Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year	26,417,427		26,417,427
	Revenue return per ordinary share	28.8p		22.5p
	Capital return per ordinary share	39.5p		117.0p
		--------		--------
	Total return per ordinary share	68.3p		139.5p
		=====		=====
	The Company does not have any dilutive securities, therefore basic and diluted returns per share are the same.

Page 11 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

Notes to the Accounts (continued):

5.	Dividends paid and payable on the ordinary shares
	Dividends on ordinary shares	Record Date	Payment Date	2011 £'000	2010 £'000
	Final dividend (16.5p)   for the year ended 30 September 2009	4 December 2009	22 December 2009	-	4,359
	First interim dividend (10.0p)    for the year ended 30 September 2010	28 May 2010	18 June 2010	-	2,642
	Second interim dividend (17.0p)   for the year ended 30 September 2010	3 December 2010	22 December 2010	4,491	-
	First interim dividend (10.5p)    for the year ended 30 September 2011	27 May 2011	17 June 2011	2,774	-
	Refund of unclaimed dividends over 12 years old			-	(2)
				--------	--------
				7,265	6,999
				=====	=====
	The second interim dividend for the year ended 30 September 2011 has not been included as a liability in these financial statements.  The total dividends payable in respect of the financial year, which form the basis of one of the retention tests under Section 1158 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010, are set out below.
				2011 £'000
	Revenue available for distribution by way of dividend for the year			7,618
	First interim dividend (10.5p) for the year ended 30 September 2011			(2,774)
	Second interim dividend (17.5p) for the year ended 30 September 2011 (based on 26,417,427 ordinary shares in issue at 21 November 2011)			(4,623)
				----------
	Revenue Surplus			221
	For section 1158 purposes the Company's undistributed revenue represents 2.3% of			======
	the income from investments.

6.	Called up share capital	2011 £'000	2010 £'000
	Allotted, issued and fully paid
	26,417,427 (2010:  26,417,427) ordinary  shares of 25p each	6,604	6,604
		======	======

7.	Net asset value per ordinary share
	The net asset value per ordinary share is based on the net assets attributable to the ordinary shares of £214,251,000 (2010: £203,484,000) and on 26,417,427 (2010: 26,417,427) shares in issue on 30 September 2011. The movements during the year of the assets attributable to the ordinary shares were as follows:
		2011 £'000
	Total net assets at 1 October 2010	203,484
	Total net return on ordinary activities after taxation	18,032
	Net dividends paid in the year: Ordinary shares	(7,265)
		----------
	Net assets attributable to the ordinary shares at 30 September 2011	214,251
		======

Page 12 of 13

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

Notes to the Accounts (continued):

8.

Going Concern Statement

The directors believe that it is appropriate to continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements as the assets of the Company consist mainly of securities which are readily realisable and, accordingly, it has adequate financial resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In reviewing the position as at the date of this report, the Board has considered the "Going Concern and Liquidity Risk: Guidance for Directors of UK Companies 2009", published by the Financial Reporting Council in October 2009.

9.

2011 Annual Financial Statements

The figures and financial information for the year ended 30 September 2011 are extracted from the Company's annual financial statements for that period and do not constitute statutory accounts.  The Company's annual financial statement for the year to 30 September 2011 have been audited but have not yet been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.  The auditors' report on the 2011 annual financial statements was unqualified, did not include a reference to any matter to which the auditors drew attention without qualifying the report, and did not contain any statements under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.

10.

2010 Financial Information

The figures and financial information for the year ended 30 September 2010 are compiled from an extract of the published accounts for that year and do not constitute statutory accounts.  Those accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and included the report of the auditors which was unqualified and did not contain a statement under sections 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

11.	Dividend
	The second interim dividend, in lieu of a final dividend, of 17.5p per ordinary share, will be paid on 21 December 2011 to shareholders on the register of members at the close of business on 2 December 2011. The Company's shares will be quoted ex-dividend on 30 November 2011.

12.	Annual Report
	The Annual Report and Financial Statements will be posted to shareholders in late November / early December 2011 and will be available on the Company's website (www.lowlandinvestment.com) or in hard copy format from the Company's Registered Office, 201 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3AE.

13.	Annual General Meeting
	The Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 18 January 2012 at 12.30 pm at 201 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3AE.

Page 13 of 13                                              of 12

LOWLAND INVESTMENT COMPANY PLC

Annual Financial Report for the year ended 30 September 2011

Notes to the Accounts (continued):

Twenty Largest Holdings as at 30 September 2011

Rank (2011)	Rank (2010)	Company	Valuation 2010 £'000	Purchases £'000	Sales £'000	Appreciation/ (depreciation) £'000	Valuation 2011 £'000
1	(4)	Carclo	8,512	-	-	6,711	15,223
2	(1)	Senior	12,501	-	(1,400)	459	11,560
3	(2)	Royal Dutch Shell	9,749	-	-	814	10,563
4	(7)	GlaxoSmithKline	5,645	1,376	-	311	7,332
5	(11)	Hiscox	4,910	1,340	-	235	6,485
6	(16)	Interserve	4,010	319	-	1,969	6,298
7	(9)	Vodafone	5,224	-	-	304	5,528
8	(3)	BP	8,984	-	(3,771)	(162)	5,051
9	(5)	Croda	7,039	-	(2,559)	470	4,950
10	(8)	Meggitt	5,554	347	(2,096)	884	4,689
11	(6)	Aviva	5,984	-	-	(1,403)	4,581
12	(12)	GKN	4,743	-	(461)	291	4,573
13	(*)	RPC	1,696	1,467	(386)	1,267	4,044
14	(*)	Phoenix	-	5,154	-	(1,194)	3,960
15	(*)	Amlin	3,119	2,345	-	(1,555)	3,909
16	(14)	Hill & Smith	4,051	429	-	(607)	3,873
17	(*)	Cape	2,589	517	-	750	3,856
18	(20)	Severn Trent	3,278	-	-	575	3,853
19	(10)	Canfor Pulp	5,126	-	(859)	(463)	3,804
20	(18)	H&T	3,396	-	-	378	3,774
			----------	-----------	----------	---------	----------
			106,110 ======	13,294 ======	(11,532) ======	10,034 ======	117,906 ======

These investments total £117,906,000 or 47.9% of the portfolio.

* Not in the top 20 largest investments last year.

For further information please contact:
James H Henderson	James de Sausmarez
Portfolio Manager	Head of Investment Trusts
Lowland Investment Company plc	Henderson Global Investors
Telephone: [phone]	Telephone: [phone]
Sarah Gibbons-Cook
Investor Relations and PR Manager
Henderson Global Investors
Telephone: [phone]

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.

- ENDS -

 

END

 

 

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