Annual Financial Report

RNS Number : 5119V
NB Distressed Debt Invest. Fd. Ltd
15 April 2021
 

NB DISTRESSED DEBT INVESTMENT FUND LIMITED

2020 ANNUAL Report

 

audited CONSOLIDATED Financial Statements

For the year ended 31 December 2020

 

 

COMPANY OVERVIEW | Features

Features

 

NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited (the "Company")

The Company is a closed-ended investment company incorporated and registered in Guernsey on 20 April 2010 with registration number 51774 . The Company is governed under the provisions of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) (the "Law"), and the Registered Collective Investment Scheme Rules 2018 issued by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission ("GFSC"). It is a non-cellular company limited by shares and has been declared by the GFSC to be a registered closed-ended collective investment scheme. The Company trades on the Specialist Fund Segment ("SFS") of the London Stock Exchange ("LSE").

The Company is a member of the Association of Investment Companies (the "AIC") and is classified within the Debt - Loans & Bonds Category.

 

Alternative Investment Fund Manager ("AIFM") and Manager

 

Investment management services are provided to the Company by Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC (the "AIFM") and Neuberger Berman Europe Limited (the "Manager"), collectively the "Investment Manager". The AIFM is responsible for risk management and discretionary management of the Company's Portfolio and the Manager provides, amongst other things, certain administrative services to the Company.

 

Share Capital

 

At 31 December 2020 the Company's share capital comprised the following1:

 

Ordinary Share Class ("NBDD")

15,382,770 Ordinary Shares, none of which were held in treasury.

 

Extended Life Share Class ("NBDX")

80,545,074 Extended Life Shares, none of which were held in treasury.

 

New Global Share Class ("NBDG")

41,116,617 New Global Shares, none of which were held in treasury.

 

1 In addition the Company has two Class A Shares in issue. Further information is provided in the Capital Structure section of this report below

 

For the purposes of efficient portfolio management, the Company has established a number of wholly-owned subsidiaries domiciled in the US, the Cayman Islands and Luxembourg. All references to the Company in this document refer to the Company together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

 

Non-Mainstream Pooled Investments

 

The Company currently conducts its affairs so that the shares issued by the Company can be recommended by Independent Financial Advisers to ordinary retail investors in accordance with the Financial Conduct Authority's ("FCA") rules in relation to non-mainstream pooled investment ("NMPI") products and intends to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

 

The Company's shares are excluded from the FCA's restrictions which apply to NMPI products.

 

Company Numbers

 

Ordinary Shares

LSE ISIN code: GG00BDFZ6F78

Bloomberg code: NBDD: LN

 

Extended Life Shares

LSE ISIN code: GG00BMY71631

Bloomberg code: NBDX:LN

 

New Global Shares

LSE ISIN code: GG00BMY71748

Bloomberg code: NBDG:LN

 

Legal Entity Identifier

YRFO7WKOU3V511VFX790

 

Website

www.nbddif.com

 

Capital Structure  

 

The Company's share capital consists of three different share classes, all of which are in the harvest period: the Ordinary Share Class; the Extended Life Share Class; and the New Global Share Class. These share classes each have different capital return profiles and, in one instance a different geographical remit. In addition, the Company has two Class A Shares in issue. While the Company's share classes are all now in harvest, returning capital to shareholders, the Company's corporate umbrella itself has an indefinite life to allow for flexibility for the Company to add new share classes if demand, market opportunities and shareholder approval supported such a move, although the Company has no current plans to create new share classes. Each share class is considered in turn below.

 

Ordinary Share Class

 

NBDD was established at the Company's launch on 10 June 2010 with a remit to invest in the global distressed debt market with a focus on North America. The investment period of NBDD expired on 10 June 2013.

 

Voting rights:   Yes

Denomination:  US Dollars

Hedging:  Portfolio hedged to US Dollars

Authorised share capital:  Unlimited

Par value:   Nil

 

Extended Life Share Class

 

A vote was held at a class meeting of NBDD shareholders on 8 April 2013 where the majority of shareholders voted in favour of a proposed extension.

 

Following this meeting and with the NBDD shareholders' approval of the extension, on 9 April 2013 a new Class, NBDX, was created and the NBDX Shares were issued to 72% of initial NBDD investors who elected to convert their NBDD Shares to NBDX Shares. NBDX had a remit to invest in the global distressed debt market with a focus on North America. The investment period of NBDX expired on 31 March 2015.

 

Voting rights:   Yes

Denomination:  US Dollars

Hedging:  Portfolio hedged to US Dollars

Authorised share capital:   Unlimited

Par value:   Nil

 

New Global Share Class

 

NBDG was created on 4 March 2014 and had a remit to invest in the global distressed market with a focus on Europe and North America. The investment period of NBDG expired on 31 March 2017.

 

Voting rights:   Yes

Denomination:  Pound Sterling

Hedging:  Unhedged portfolio

Authorised share capital:   Unlimited

Par value:   Nil

 

Class A Shares

 

The Class A Shares are held by a trustee pursuant to a purpose trust established under Guernsey law. Under the terms of the Trust Deed the Trustee holds the Class A Shares for the purpose of exercising the right to receive notice of general meetings of the Company but the Trustee shall only have the right to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company when there are no other Shares of the Company in issue.

 

Voting rights:   No

Denomination:  US Dollars

Authorised share capital:   10,000 Class A Shares

Par value:   US Dollar $1

 

Business Model 

 

Principal Activities and Structure

 

The principal activity of the Company is to carry out business as an investment company. The Directors do not envisage any changes in this activity for the foreseeable future.

 

The chart below sets out the ownership, organisational and investment structure of the Company.

 

INVESTMENT STRUCTURE OF THE COMPANY

 

[For Investment Structure of the Company, click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view page 1 in the associated PDF document]

 

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5119V_1-2021-4-14.pdf

 

1 Further information on the Company's capital structure can be found above.

2 Further information on the Company's investment management arrangements can be found in the Strategic Report below.

 

 

Investment Objective

 

The Company's primary objective is to provide investors with attractive risk-adjusted returns through long-biased, opportunistic exposure to stressed, distressed and special situation credit-related investments while seeking to limit downside risk by, amongst other things, focusing on senior and senior secured debt with both collateral and structural protection.

 

Investment Policy

 

The investment period of each share class has expired. During the investment period, the Investment Manager sought, in accordance with the Investment Policy, to identify mis-priced or otherwise overlooked securities or assets that had the potential to produce attractive absolute returns while seeking to limit downside risk through collateral and structured protection where possible.

 

The Ordinary Shares, Extended Life Shares and New Global Shares (collectively the "Portfolios") are biased toward stressed and distressed debt securities secured by hard asset collateral in accordance with the Investment Policy. When investing on behalf of the Company, the Investment Manager focused on companies with significant tangible assets which were judged likely to maintain long-term value through a restructuring. The Investment Manager avoided "asset-light" companies, as their values tend to depreciate in distressed scenarios, and also aimed to concentrate on companies with stressed balance sheets whose low implied enterprise value multiples, often calculated using currently depressed cash flows, offered a discount to comparable market valuations.

 

What is Distressed Debt?

 

Distressed debt generally refers to the financial obligations of a company that is either already in default, under bankruptcy protection, or in distress and heading toward default. Distressed debt often trades at a significant discount to its par value and may present investors with compelling opportunities to profit if there is a recovery in the business. Typically, when a company experiences financial distress or files for bankruptcy protection, the original debt holders often sell their debt securities or claims to a new set of investors at a discount. These investors often try to influence the process by which the issuer restructures its obligations or implements a plan to turn around its operations. These investors may also inject new capital into a distressed company in the form of debt or equity in order to prevent the company from going into liquidation or to aid the company in carrying out a restructuring plan. Investors in distressed debt typically must not only assess the issuer's ability to improve its operations but also whether the restructuring process is likely to result in a meaningful recovery to the investors' class of claims.

 

 

Distressed debt can be performing or non-performing. Performing debt is defined as debt that maintains its contractual obligations relating to interest and/or principal payments and can be debt that has yet to default or even debt that is under bankruptcy protection. Non-performing debt is defined as debt that does not continue to meet its financial obligations.

 

There are several different strategies related to investing in distressed debt. These strategies differ mainly in the types of securities that investors purchase, the life of a fund and its investment period, and a fund's expected returns. Four strategic categories include: (i) senior/senior secured debt strategies; (ii) control/private equity strategies; (iii) junior debt strategies; and (iv) capital structure arbitrage strategies. During the investment periods of the Portfolios, the Investment Manager focused on implementing a senior/senior secured debt strategy in which it invested primarily in secured debt with strong collateral value and structural protection. The Investment Manager has also invested in control positions and non-control positions with the objective of acquiring a blocking position on behalf of the Portfolios.

 

Investing in secured debt at the top of the capital structure is, in the opinion of the Investment Manager, towards the more conservative end of the distressed debt strategy risk spectrum due to the support from the value of the underlying collateral. Additionally, secured debt holders often have the ability to foreclose on the assets securing their claim and to drive the restructuring process. The typical holding period for investments in this type of strategy is at least six months and can be more than three years.

 

Typical Life Cycle of a Distressed Debt Investment

 

[For Investment Structure of the Company, click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view page 2 in the associated PDF document]

 

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5119V_1-2021-4-14.pdf

 

Further information on the Company's investment process can be found in the Company's most recent prospectuses which are available on the Company's website at www.nbddif.com under the "Investor Information" tab.

 

1 Negotiations can take place within bankruptcy or creditors can negotiate with the company to agree on a pre-packaged bankruptcy whereby the plan of reorganisation is negotiated before the company files for bankruptcy protection (this has become more common).

 

 

Distributions to Shareholders

 

Income

 

In order to benefit from an exemption to the United Kingdom ("UK") offshore fund rules, all income from the Company's Portfolio (after deduction of reasonable expenses) must be paid to investors. To meet this requirement the Company will pay out by way of dividend, in respect of each share class, all net income received on investments of the Company attributable to such share class, as appropriate.

 

It is not anticipated that income from the Portfolios will be material and therefore any income distributions by way of dividend will be on an ad-hoc basis. However, the Company monitors the need to distribute such income annually (less allowable expenses under the NMPI rules) in order to continue to be excluded from the FCA's restrictions which apply to non-mainstream investment products. The exact amount of such income distribution by way of dividend in respect of any class of shares will be variable depending on the amounts of income received by the Company attributable to such share class and will only be paid in accordance with applicable law at the relevant time, including the   Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) (the "Law") and, in particular, will be subject to the Company passing the solvency test contained in the Law at the relevant time. The amount of income distributions by way of dividend paid in respect of one class of shares may be different from that of another class.

 

Capital

 

Following the expiry of the Portfolios' investment periods, the capital proceeds attributable to the corresponding share class as determined by the Directors and in accordance with the articles of incorporation (the "Articles"), will, at such times and in such amounts as the Directors shall in their absolute discretion determine, be distributed to shareholders of that class pro rata to their respective holdings of the relevant shares.

 

Any capital return will only be made by the Company in accordance with the Articles of the Company and applicable law at the relevant time, including the Law (and, in particular, will be subject to the Company passing the solvency test contained in the Law at the relevant time).

 

Towards the end of the Portfolios' respective harvest periods, a residual amount will be retained in accordance with regulatory requirements until such time as the relevant share class may be liquidated or its assets otherwise disposed of at the discretion of the Board.

 

Gearing

 

The Company will not employ leverage or gearing for investment purposes. The Company may, from time to time, use borrowings for share buybacks and short-term liquidity purposes, including bridging purposes, prior to the sale of investments. Save for such bridging borrowings the Directors will restrict borrowing, with respect to each share class, to an amount not exceeding 10 percent of the NAV of the share class at the time of drawdown. 

 

The Company does not currently have any borrowings. Derivatives may be used for the purposes of efficient portfolio management and to hedge risk within the Portfolios. In addition, from time to time the Company may also invest in such derivatives for investment purposes.

 

 

2020 PERFORMANCE REVIEW | Financial Highlights

Financial Highlights

Key Figures

At 31 DECEMBER 2020

Ordinary

Share Class

Extended Life Share Class

New Global  Share Class1

Aggregated

Net Asset Value ("NAV") ($ millions)

13.0

63.5

31.9

108.4

NAV per Share ($)

0.8420

0.7889

0.7767

-

Share Price ($)

0.720

0.480

0.63561

-

NAV per Share (£)

-

-

0.5682

-

Share Price (£)

-

-

0.465

-

Premium /(Discount) to NAV per Share

(14.49%)

(39.16%)

(18.16%)

-

Portfolio of Distressed Investments ($ millions)

9.9

55.6

30.8

96.3

Cash and Cash Equivalents ($ millions)

3.6

9.1

0.9

13.6

Total Expense Ratio ("TER")2

2.89%

2.68%

2.76%

-

Ongoing Charges 3

2.42%

2.36%

2.39%

-

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2019

Ordinary

Share Class

Extended Life Share Class

New Global  Share Class1

Aggregated

Net Asset Value ("NAV") ($ millions)

14.0

105.8

79.3

199.1

NAV per Share ($)

0.9086

0.9266

1.1047

-

Share Price ($)

0.845

0.735

0.94321

-

NAV per Share (£)

-

-

0.8339

-

Share Price (£)

-

-

0.712

-

Premium /(Discount) to NAV per Share

(7.00%)

(20.68%)

(14.62%)

-

Portfolio of Distressed Investments ($ millions)

13.2

102.8

76.8

192.8

Cash and Cash Equivalents ($ millions)

1.9

1.6

2.4

5.9

Total Expense Ratio ("TER")2

2.15%

2.21%

2.31%

-

Ongoing Charges 3

2.10%

2.11%

2.14%

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Stated in US Dollars, the £ price as at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019 converted to US Dollars using respective year end exchange rate.

2 The TERs represent the Company's management fees and all other operating expenses, as required by US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("US GAAP"), expressed as a percentage of average net assets.

3 In the year to 31 December 2020, the Company's Ongoing Charges were 2.38%. This figure is based on an expense figure for the year to 31 December 2020 of $3,198,067. This figure, which has been prepared in accordance with AIC guidance represents the Company's management fees and all other operating expenses, excluding finance costs payable, expressed as a percentage of average net assets. No performance fees were payable as at 31 December 2020. The Ongoing Charges by share class are disclosed above.

 

 

Summary of Value in Excess of Original Capital Invested

 

At 31 December 2020

Ordinary
Share Class ($)

Extended Life
Share Class ($)

New Global
Share Class (£)

Original Capital Invested

(124,500,202)

(359,359,794)

(110,785,785)

Total Capital Distributions

129,627,394

259,844,033

42,460,798

Total Income Distributions 1

3,166,835

14,896,010

2,685,521

Distributions as % of Original Capital

107%

76%

41%

Total Buybacks

-

12,112,379

10,924,963

NAV

12,952,965

63,540,650

23,363,139

Total of NAV Plus Capital and Income Returned ("Value")

145,747,194

350,393,072

79,434,421

Value in Excess of Original Capital Invested

21,246,992

(8,966,722)

(31,351,364)

Value as % of Original Capital Invested

117%

98%

72%

 

At 31 December 2019

Ordinary
Share Class ($)

Extended Life
Share Class ($)

New Global
Share Class (£)

Original Capital Invested

(124,500,202)

(359,359,794)

(110,785,785)

Total Capital Distributions

129,627,394

236,873,855

24,473,845

Total Income Distributions 1

3,166,835

14,896,010

2,685,521

Distributions as % of Original Capital

107%

70%

25%

Total Buybacks

-

10,255,281

9,346,306

NAV

13,976,415

105,771,674

59,862,782

Total of NAV Plus Capital and Income Returned ("Value")

146,770,644

367,796,820

96,368,454

Value in Excess of Original Capital Invested

22,270,442

8,437,026

(14,417,331)

Value as % of Original Capital Invested

118%

102%

87%

 

1 By way of dividend

 

A detailed breakdown of the Company's distributions is provided on the Company's website at www.nbddif.com under "Investor Information", "Capital Activity".

 

 

2020 PERFORMANCE REVIEW | Chairman's Statement

 

Chairman's Statement

 

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

The year ended 31 December 2020 was one of unprecedented global economic and social disruption with a profound human impact. Notwithstanding this unparalleled backdrop, I am pleased to report that the Company has navigated these waters with no operational impact, in large due to the operational resilience of our Investment Manager and service providers.

 

We did, of course, suffer financial setbacks but were able to deliver further capital distributions to the shareholders of the NBDX and NBDG share classes consistent with the well-established and orderly realisation of the portfolios. The process of realisation has slowed as we have continued with this disciplined approach. With each share class in its harvest period, we continue to seek to balance the pace of exits and the value achieved for shareholders as we return capital to our investors. As a reminder, the Ordinary class shareholders will no longer receive capital distributions until such time as all final assets attributable to them have been realised to ensure compliance with UK regulations.

 

Company Performance

 

As at 31 December 2020, the Company had returned a total of $132.8m or 106.7% of NBDD investors' original capital of $124.5m, $274.8m or 76.5% of NBDX investors' original capital of $359.4m and £45.2m or 40.8% of NBDG investors' original capital of £110.8m. Additionally, $1.9m was spent on buying back NBDX shares and £1.6m was spent on buying back NBDG shares in a manner accretive to net asset value ("NAV").

 

On 17 June 2020, we announced a further capital distribution of $10.5m to our NBDX shareholders and £10.5m to our NBDG shareholders which was paid on 10 July 2020.

 

Securing the balance between the pace of exits and the value for shareholders is an active exercise. In many instances, assets will need intense management to realise their full potential. In response to the market improvements post the March lows the Investment Manager realised all the remaining holdings of listed equities so as to safeguard against any further market declines. The Board continues to monitor all costs to ensure that they are appropriate as we are conscious that shareholders may be concerned about the impact of costs on a reducing portfolio during the harvest period as evidenced by the increased Total Expense Ratios reported herein. We would like to remind our investors that our TERs continue to increase as the NAV decreases through capital distributions as some expenses of the Company are fixed, representing a higher portion of costs year on year.

 

On 16 November 2020 we announced in our quarterly Factsheet that we would discontinue the buyback programme. The buyback programme was intended to narrow the discount, during the investment period. Going forward, we will make cash distributions to our Shareholders from investment realisations and not through buybacks. 

 

During the year, we appointed Jeffries International Limited as sole corporate broker and financial adviser to the Company with effect from 14 September 2020.

 

On 27 October 2020, we were pleased to announce that the Investment Manager was waiving its entitlement to any Base Fee calculated in respect of any cash and cash equivalents held by the Company that is solely attributable to the account of the Ordinary Shares, with such waiver having taken effect as at 1 October 2020. This decision was made because the Ordinary Shares cannot make any further distributions (given the 10% withholding limit) until a final distribution is paid at the end of the Share Class's life and also due to the delay in realising the remaining investments. Further, we were delighted to announce on 18 March 2021, that the Investment Manager had waived all fees across the Ordinary Share Class, Extended Life Share Class and New Global Share Class with immediate effect. The fee waiver recognises that it is taking longer than expected to fully realise the Company's assets due to a number of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic, as we outlined in our most recent quarterly update. A partial fee waiver on the smallest share class, NBDD, was already in place as noted above, but this has been replaced with a full fee waiver on all three share classes to reduce costs for shareholders. The Investment Manager remains committed to the Company and the orderly realisation of remaining assets.

 

Annual General Meeting ("AGM") Results

 

As described in our interim accounts, the Board put its income distribution policy to a shareholder vote by way of a separate resolution at the 2020 AGM, which was approved. We will continue to put our income distribution policy to a shareholder vote at each annual general meeting. The income distribution policy is set out in the Distributions to Shareholders section above. I would like to remind shareholders that such distributions occur on an ad-hoc basis and are not expected to be material, nor equal to all share classes.

 

We view the AGM as a very important event and would urge all shareholders to use their votes. I would hope that shareholders will contact us ahead of the AGM to raise any concerns they may have and would draw your attention to comments I make below on aspects of governance.

 

Board Composition, Independence and Diversity

 

Cognisant of the time remaining for the realisation of all the portfolios in the next couple of years and final distributions to shareholders as soon as possible thereafter, the Board considers that its size and composition remains optimal and in the best interests of our shareholders. Messrs Legge and Vakil reviewed my own position as Chairman and they believe it is prudent and in the best interests of shareholders to continue to have the depth of experience of a longer serving director on the Board and both agreed that they consider me to remain independent. To that end, I will remain as Chairman if re-elected at the next AGM. I am pleased to report that the Board appointed Stephen Vakil as the Senior Independent Director effective 1 January 2020.

 

While the Board believes it is currently in the best interests of shareholders for the Company not to refresh the Board or implement a formal succession plan, for the reasons given above, the long-term outlook for the Company (as an umbrella structure) is unknown. Any future capital raise would change this picture and be preceded by a process of board refreshment. Naturally, we would seek to appoint directors as needed to replace a key vacant position should it arise.

 

We recognise that this approach does not strictly accord with best practice but hope that shareholders will support it as a pragmatic approach to the current situation.

 

While we currently have no female members on the Board, we maintain our strong belief in the value of diversity in the boardroom and recognise its importance. As I have already noted, we will continue to assess the Board's composition, considering the needs of the Company and the benefits to shareholders. We welcome shareholder engagement and discussion on board composition and diversity, as with all aspects of our governance.

 

Brexit

 

As previously reported in our interim report, Brexit has not impacted our operations or Portfolios in any material manner, and there is no significant impact from the trade deal agreed between the UK and EU. Shareholders are reminded that the NBDD and NBDX Portfolios are US Dollar denominated and any non-US exposure is hedged back to the US Dollars and that NBDG, on the other hand, is a Pound Sterling denominated, but unhedged, share class with a broader geographic remit than the other two share classes.

 

COVID-19

 

The world has experienced unprecedented times as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the values of many of our assets have been negatively affected. I am pleased to be able to report that our key service providers have continued to provide services to the Company throughout the pandemic and thank them for their efforts in maintaining our operational resilience .

 

The various valuation methodologies we use to value your portfolio's holdings have been reviewed and we consider that they remain appropriate for determining values at any given point in time.

 

As global virus outbreaks continue to occur, the COVID-19 virus remains the primary issue for investors. The outbreaks and calls for additional lockdowns diminish near term virus containment hopes, while also restricting behaviour and curtailing more robust economic activity. Nevertheless, the development and implementation of vaccines has provided reason for optimism. Given these circumstances, the longer-term financial impact on our assets remains difficult to predict. Despite the uncertainty, the Investment Manager remains committed to realising the investments in an orderly manner. However, the timing of the orderly realisation of some assets is less certain and the quantum of the proceeds therefrom is difficult to predict.

 

Our objectives remain the same; to maximise the benefit to investors during this harvest period and to continue to provide updated information regarding asset values.

 

Outlook

 

The Ordinary class of shares will be the first to commence the final wind up process, followed by the Extended share class and then the New Global share class. As is normally the case with investment companies, as opposed to those with commercial undertakings, this does not currently have any material impact on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern or remain viable. However, the whole process must be managed in a way that ensures compliance with UK regulations.

 

The Extended and Global classes will continue to distribute until their net assets are reduced to approximately $35m and £9m respectively. In certain cases, the cash associated with these share classes will need to remain in underlying corporate vehicles while tax and other matters relating to those vehicles are concluded. We will keep investors appraised of developments in respect of the remaining assets.

 

We had previously indicated that we expected the final distribution of the Ordinary share class to be made during 2020, but the delay to the realisation of the final assets owing to the ongoing global pandemic has delayed this expectation to 2021. The wind up of the other two classes will take a little longer but we hope to complete the realisation process in the next couple of years. As noted earlier, upheaval in financial markets and global economic uncertainty may impact these timings and we will keep shareholders updated via the quarterly fact sheets.

 

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank our longstanding shareholders for your support of our Company. We look forward to updating you further on investment realisations throughout the remainder of the year.

 

 

John Hallam

Chairman

14 April 2021

 

 

2020 PERFORMANCE REVIEW | Investment Manager's Report

 

Investment Manager's Report

 

Ordinary Share Class

 

Summary

 

The NAV per share decreased by 7.3% for the year ended 2020. We continued to see significant volatility in the markets due to the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on global growth expectations. The long-term effects of COVID-19 on the global economy remain unknown. With the sale of the public equities in the first half of the year, the remaining investments await realisation events. The Investment Manager is committed to realising the investments in a timely manner and winding down the share class as soon as practicable, but there is one asset we are working through which will determine the final distribution date. The Investment Manager is evaluating options to wind down the share class.

 

Portfolio Update

 

NBDD ended the year with a NAV per share of $0.8420 compared to $0.9086 at end of 2019. The NAV decrease was principally driven by lower prices in the investments in light of the COVID-19 crisis and realised losses in exits of public equities. At 31 December 2020, 60% of NBDD's NAV was invested in distressed assets, and $5M in US Government securities which represented a further 40% of NAV, with minimal cash net of payables (see table below). Cash balances will continue to increase as assets are realised, subject to variations in collateral cash, but as noted previously cannot be distributed until the final liquidation of the share class. The portfolio consisted of 6 issuers across 5 sectors. The largest sector concentrations were in containers & packaging, surface transportation and financial intermediaries.

   

Cash Analysis

 

Balance Sheet - Cash

$3.6m

Collateral cash

($3.1m)

Other payables

($0.0m)

Total available cash

$0.5m

 

 

Notable events below describe activity in the investments during 2020:

 

· During the year, Exide Technologies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to the global shutdown and COVID-19. The company sold its US operations and lenders credit are bidding for the European business. The valuation impact was a $1.1m unrealised loss. The magnitude of the unrealised loss is due to the decline in business operations as well as the decision to not reorganise and sell off the business units.

· NBDD completed the exit of all public equities in early 2020 in view of the market uncertainties at that time.

· The Financial Intermediary investment received approval to make first distribution on surplus notes in July 2020 and received approval in the fourth quarter to make another distribution in early 2021 as a result of which the Company will receive $110K.

  

Significant Price Movement during 2020 (approximately 1% of NBDD NAV or $130,000)

 

INDUSTRY

 INSTRUMENT

 TOTAL RETURN
 (US DOLLARS MILLIONS)

COMMENT

Containers & packaging

Private Equity

2.09

 

Improvement in profitability on strong end-market demand

Containers & packaging

Private Equity

0.29

Improvement in profitability on strong end-market demand

Auto Components

Private Equity

(1.15)

COVID-19 related restructuring due to liquidity shortfall

Financial Intermediaries

Private Note

(0.14)

COVID-19 impacted underlying asset performance

 

 

Exits

 

During the year, we saw five exits, which generated a total return of $ (7.6m) and generated net cash inflows of $ 13.6m. This brings the total number of exits since inception in NBDD to 50, with a total return of $35.8m. Detailed descriptions of the exits are at the end of this report.

 

Partial Realisations

 

The partial realisations generated a net realised gain of $8.8m over the life of the fund. Detailed descriptions of the partial realisations are at the end of this report.

 

Distributions

 

To date, $132.8m or 107% of original capital has been distributed to investors in the form of capital distributions via redemptions and income dividends. Total value to investors including NAV and all distributions paid is $145.7m (117% of original capital). For regulatory reasons, the final 10% of the total return (NAV plus cumulative distributions) in respect of any class of participating shares in NBDDIF will be returned to shareholders with a final compulsory redemption of all of the outstanding shares of that class. Our intent is to wind down the share class as soon as practicable but there is one asset, we are working through which will determine the final distribution date. We will continue to update investors as we gain clarity on the realisations.

 

Extended Life Share Class

Summary

 

The NAV per share decreased by 14.9% for the year ended 2020. During the year, we saw significant volatility in the markets due to the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on global growth expectations and economic recovery. The effects of COVID-19 on the global economy and timeframe for recovery remain unknown. With the sale of the public equities in the first half of the year, the remaining investments await realisation events. The Investment Manager is committed to realising the investments in a timely manner and winding down the share class as soon as practicable.

 

Portfolio Update

 

NBDX ended the year with a NAV per share of $0.7889 compared to $0.9266 at end of 2019. At 31 December 2020, 96% of NBDX's NAV was invested in distressed assets, and $2.8M in US Government securities which represented a further 4% of NAV with a minimal of cash net of payables (see table below). Cash balances will continue to increase as assets are realised, subject to variations in collateral cash, but as noted previously cannot be distributed until the final liquidation of the share class. The NAV per share decreased 14.9% during the year principally due to losses in public equities and unrealised losses in the existing portfolio with the impact of COVID-19. With the exit of the public equities, the NBDX portfolio consists of 13 issuers across 9 sectors. The largest sector concentrations were in surface transportation, containers & packaging, shipping, lodging & casinos, and financial intermediaries.

 

Cash Analysis

 

Balance Sheet - Cash

$9.1m

Collateral cash

($8.5m)

Other payables

($0.3m)

Total available cash

$0.3m

 

Notable events below describe activity in the investments during 2020:

· During the period, Exide Technologies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to the global shutdown and COVID-19. The company does not expect to reorganise and has begun a sales process for the various business units. The valuation impact was a ($9.7m) unrealised loss. The magnitude of the unrealised loss is due to the decline in business operations as well as the decision not to reorganise and sell off the business units.

· The Company completed the exit of 11 investments.  All but one exit related to equity investments, in view of the market uncertainties in early 2020.  

· The Financial Intermediary investment received approval to make first distribution on surplus notes in July 2020 and received approval in the fourth quarter to make another distribution in early 2021 as a result of which the Company will receive $1.37m.

 

Significant Price Movements during 2020 (approximately 1% of NBDX NAV or $640,000)

 

INDUSTRY

 INSTRUMENT

 TOTAL RETURN
 (US DOLLARS MILLIONS)

COMMENT

 Containers & packaging

 Private Equity

5.38

Improvement in profitability on strong end-market demand

 Containers & packaging

 Private Equity

0.76

Improvement in profitability on strong end-market demand

 Auto Components

 Private Equity

(9.78)

COVID-19 related restructuring due to liquidity shortfall

 Shipping

 Bank Debt Investments

(2.67)

Lower dry bulk asset values

 Financial Intermediaries

 Private Note

(1.73)

COVID-19 impacted underlying asset performance

 

 

Exits

 

In 2020 we saw eleven exits for NBDX, which generated a total return of $(51.5m) and generated net cash inflows of $46.2m. This brings the total number of exits since inception in NBDX to 67 with total return of $63.7m. Detailed descriptions of the exits are at the end of this report.

 

Partial Realisations

 

The partial realisations generated a net realised gain of $22.7m over the life of the Company. Detailed descriptions of the partial realisations are at the end of this report. 

 

Distributions

 

During 2020, NBDX approved distributions of $23m bringing total distributions to date (dividends, redemptions and buy-backs) of $287.0m or 80% of original capital. Total value to investors including NAV and all distributions paid is $350.4m or 98% of original capital. With the uncertainty as to how long the economic downturn will last, certain realisations in NBDX have been delayed. For regulatory reasons, the final 10% of total return in respect of any class of participating shares in NBDDIF will be returned to shareholders with the final compulsory redemption of all of the outstanding shares of that class. The Investment Manager is committed to realising the investments in a timely manner to distribute cash to investors as soon as possible.

 

Share Buybacks

 

During 2020, NBDX purchased 3.7m of its own shares under the buyback programme at a cost of $1.9m and a weighted average discount of 33%. The shares have been cancelled.

  

Global Share Class

 Summary

The NAV per share decreased by 31.9%. We continued to see significant volatility in the markets due to the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on global growth expectations and economic recovery. The effects of COVID-19 on the global economy remain unknown. With the sale of the public equities in the first half of the year, the remaining investments await realisation events. The Investment Manager is committed to realising the investments in a timely manner and winding down the share class as soon as practicable.

 

Portfolio Update

NBDG ended 2020 with a NAV per share of £0.5682 compared to £0.8339 at the end of 2019. At 31 December 2020, 90% of NBDG's NAV was invested in distressed assets, and $2M in US Government securities which represented a further 7% of NAV (including cash receivables and net payables held in subsidiaries) with 3% held in cash (see table below). NAV per share decreased 31.9% during the year principally due to losses in public equities and unrealised losses in the existing portfolio with the impact of COVID-19. With the exit of the public equity investments, the portfolio consisted of 7 issuers across 6 sectors. The largest sector concentrations were in lodging & casinos, commercial mortgage, surface transportation and shipping.

 

Cash Analysis

 

Balance Sheet - Cash

$0.9m

Cash held in wholly-owned subsidiary accounts

$0.0m

Other payables

($0.1m)

Total available cash

$0.8m

 

 

Notable events involving NBDG's investments during 2020 are below :

· During the period, Exide Technologies filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy due to the global shutdown and COVID-19. The company does not expect to reorganise and has begun a sales process for the various business units. The valuation impact was a (£4.0m) unrealised loss. The magnitude of the unrealised loss is due to the decline in business operations as well as the decision to not reorganise and sell off the business units.

· The Company completed the exit of all public equities in early 2020 in view of the market uncertainties at that time.

 

Significant Price Movements during 2020 (approximately 1% of NBDG NAV or £230,000)

 

INDUSTRY

 INSTRUMENT

 TOTAL RETURN
 (US DOLLARS MILLIONS)

COMMENT

Auto Components

Private Note

(4.06)

COVID-19 related restructuring due to liquidity shortfall

Lodging & Casinos

Bank Debt Investments/Private Equity

(1.51)

Hotel closed due to COVID-19

Shipping

Bank Debt Investments

(1.08)

Lower dry bulk asset values

 

 

Exits

 

During 2020, we saw eleven exits, which generated a total return of £ (15.2m) and generated net cash inflows of £46.9m. This brought the total number of exits since inception to 30 with a total return of £ (7.2m). Detailed descriptions of the exits are at the end of this report.

 

Partial Realisations

 

There were no partial realisations in NBDG during 2020.

 

Distributions

 

During 2020, the Company made £18.0m capital distributions via redemption of shares, which brings total distributions to date (dividends, redemptions and buy-backs) of £56.1m or 51% of original capital. Total value to investors including NAV and all distributions paid is £79.4m or 72% of original capital. With the uncertainty as to how long the economic downturn will last, certain realisations in NBDG have been delayed. For regulatory reasons, the final 10% of total return in respect of any class of participating shares in NBDDIF will be returned to shareholders with the final compulsory redemption of all of the outstanding shares of that class. The Investment Manager is committed to realising the investments in a timely manner to distribute cash to investors as soon as possible.

 

Share Buybacks

 

During 2020, NBDG purchased 3.0m shares under the buyback programme at a cost of £1.6m and weighted average discount of 19%. The shares have been cancelled.

 

Summary of Exits across all Share Classes

 

The total exits during 2020 can be summarised as follows:

· NBDD - Five exits

· NBDX - Eleven exits

· NBDG - Eleven exits

 

Exits experienced from inception to date were as follows:

NBDD 50 exits with a total return of $35.6m, IRR 1 of 10% and ROR of 19% 

NBDX 67 exits with a total return of $63.4m, IRR 1 of 5% and ROR of 10%

NBDG 30 exits with a total return of £ (7.27m), IRR 1 of (5) % and ROR of (6) %

 

The annualised internal rate of return ("IRR") 1    is computed based on the actual dates of the cash flows of the security (purchases, sales, interest and principal pay downs), calculated in the base currency of each portfolio. The Rate of Return ("ROR") 1 represents the change in value of the security (capital appreciation, depreciation and income) as a percentage of the purchase amount. The purchase amount can include multiple purchases. Total Return represents the inception to date gain/loss on an investment.

 

Exit L (Exit 20 for NBDG and Exit 56 for NBDX)

 

 

Exit L

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDG

20

£1.5

£0.2

(£1.3)

(32.3) %

(85.2) %

59

NBDx

56

$5.7

$0.7

($5.0)

(34.2) %

(87.1) %

59

 

1   Defined under Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs") in the Strategic Report below

 

Exit M (Exit 21 for NBDG and Exit 57 for NBDD)

 

 

Exit M

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDG

21

£1.6

£0.6

(£1.0)

(29.2) %

(62.4) %

59

NBDX

57

$1.7

$0.5

($1.2)

(30.5) %

(68.9) %

59

 

Exit N (Exit 46 for NBDD and Exit 58 for NBDX)

 

 

Exit N

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDD

46

$2.0

$1.6

($0.4)

(23.3) %

(21.0) %

84

NBDX

58

$5.1

$4.0

($1.1)

(23.3) %

(21.0) %

84

 

 

Exit O (Exit 22 for NBDG and 60 for NBDX)

 

 

Exit O

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDG

22

£8.8

£3.4

(£5.4)

(44.2) %

(61.1) %

64

NBDX

60

$7.5

$2.3

($5.2)

(52.9) %

(69.9) %

64

 

 

Exit P (Exit 24 for NBDG, exit 47 for NBDD and Exit 62 for NBDX)

 

 

Exit P

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDG

24

£7.2

£1.9

(£5.3)

(23.1) %

(73.2) %

71

NBDD

47

$3.0

$1.6

($1.4)

(7.1) %

(45.1) %

111

NBDX

62

$10.1

$4.8

($5.3)

(9.1) %

(52.5) %

111

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exit Q (Exit 25 for NBDG and Exit 63 for NBDX)

 

 

Exit Q

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDG

25

£6.2

£5.6

(£0.6)

(2.1) %

(9.4) %

75

NBDX

63

$10.1

$6.8

($3.3)

(7.7) %

(32.1) %

75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exit R (Exit 26 for NBDG)

 

 

Exit R

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDG

26

£1.3

£0.8

(£0.5)

(20.1) %

(39.6) %

44

 

Exit S (Exit 27 for NBDG and Exit 64 for NBDX)

 

 

Exit S

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDG

27

£5.8

£9.6

£3.8

11.8%

66.4%

74

NBDX

64

$3.2

$4.9

$1.7

9.0%

53.8%

74

 

Exit T (Exit 28 for NBDG and Exit 65 for NBDX)

 

 

Exit T

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDG

28

£5.4

£4.5

(£0.9)

(3.4) %

(16.5) %

74

NBDX

65

$11.8

$6.8

($5.0)

(9.0) %

(41.8) %

80

 

 

Exit U (Exit 29 for NBDG, exit 48 for NBDD and Exit 66 for NBDX)

 

 

Exit U

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDG

29

£9.1

£6.7

(£2.4)

(13.5) %

(26.8) %

68

NBDD

48

$1.0

$0.3

($0.7)

(26.6) %

(66.3) %

85

NBDX

66

$19.6

$6.1

($13.5)

(28.4) %

(69.0) %

85

 

 

Exit V (Exit 30 for NBDG and Exit 49 for NBDD)

 

 

Exit V

Exit

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

 

Cash Received

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

Months Held

NBDG

30

£12.8

£12.0

(£0.8)

(3.7) %

(6.0) %

76

NBDD

49

$8.8

$7.9

($0.9)

(3.4) %

(9.5) %

111

 

Exit W (Exit 50 for NBDD and Exit 67 for NBDX)

EXIT W

EXIT

CASH INVESTED (MILLIONS)

CASH RECEIVED (MILLIONS)

TOTAL RETURN (MILLIONS)

IRR

 ROR

MONTHS HELD

NBDD

50

£6.5

£2.1

($4.4)

(53.8) %

(67.3) %

91

NBDX

67

$16.7

$5.5

($11.2)

(50.5) %

(66.9) %

99

  

Exit X (Exit 23 for NBDG and Exit 61 for NBDX)

EXIT X

EXIT

CASH INVESTED (MILLIONS)

CASH RECEIVED (MILLIONS)

TOTAL RETURN (MILLIONS)

IRR

 ROR

MONTHS HELD

NBDG

23

£2.40

£1.50

($0.9)

(40.8) %

(38.9) %

65

NBDX

61

$6.4

$3.7

($2.7)

(43.6) %

(41.2) %

65

  

Summary of Partial Realisations across all Share Classes

All partial realisations currently in the portfolio are reported as at 31 December 2020 and it should be noted that their IRR and ROR are likely to be different at the time of the final exit. These were the following partial realisations:

 

· NBDD - Two

· NBDX - Two

· NBDG - None

 

 

Partial Realisation B: NBDD and NBDX

 

NBDD and NBDX invested $7.1m to purchase first lien secured bank debt with attached private equity of an international packaging company. The debt was repaid in full shortly after the purchase with the receipt of $5.8m and the Company retained the equity, receiving dividends of $1.7m during the holding period. During the second quarter the company's sale to a complementary packaging company was announced. NBDX and NBDD elected to receive sale proceeds in cash and newly created shares in the acquirer for a combined value of $4.0m. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company received $1.5m cash as part of the sale proceeds from the disposal completed at the end of the second quarter of 2017 and $1.0m for partial redemption of new shares received in the acquirer. The company's operating performance declined due to raw material price increases. The current value of the private equity position is $1.8m generating a total return of $4.7m as of 31 December 2020. IRR was 27% and ROR was 66% with a holding period of 98 months at 31 December 2020.

 

 

 

B

 

 

Effective Period

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

Cash Received to Date

(millions)

 

Value of Residual Investment

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

 

MonthS Held

NBDD

H1 2017

$2.0

$2.8

$0.5

$1.3

27%

66%

98

NBDX

H1 2017

$5.1

$7.2

$1.3

$3.4

27%

66%

98

 

 

Partial Realisation C: NBDD and NBDX

  

NBDD and NBDX invested $9.2m in preferred equity certificates ("PECs") and private equity of a European packaging company. The PECs were retired in full in 2015 and the company paid dividends on the equity during the holding period. Cash received to date is $23.2m. In the second quarter, the company announced it was purchasing another complementary packaging company (Partial Realisation B, above) and completing a recapitalisation to refinance existing debt, provide cash for the acquisition and pay a dividend to shareholders. The company's operating performance declined due to raw material price increases. The current value of the private equity position is $12.9m, generating a total return of $26.9m as at 31 December 2020. IRR was 54% and ROR was 291% with a holding period of 101 months at 31 December 2020.

 

 

 

C

 

 

Effective Period

 

Cash Invested

(millions)

Cash Received to Date

(millions)

 

Value of Residual Investment

(millions)

 

Total Return

(millions)

 

 

IRR

 

 

ROR

 

 

Months Held

NBDD

H1 2017

$2.6

$6.5

$3.6

$7.5

54%

291%

101

NBDX

H1 2017

$6.6

$16.7

$9.3

$19.4

54%

291%

101

 

 

 

Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC  Neuberger Berman Europe Limited

14 April 2021  14 April 2021

 

 

2020 PERFORMANCE REVIEW | Portfolio Information

 

Portfolio Information

 

Ordinary Share Class

 

Top 51 Holdings at 31 December 2020

 

 

Holding

 

Sector

Purchased Instrument

 

Status

 

Country

% of NAV

 

Primary Asset

1

Specialty Packaging

Post-Reorg Equity

Post-Reorg

Luxembourg

28%

Manufacturing Plant and Equipment

2

Surface Transport

Trade Claim

Defaulted

Brazil

21%

Municipal Claim

3

Financial Intermediaries

Secured Notes

Post-Reorg

US

5%

Cash & Securities

4

Specialty Packaging

Post-Reorg Equity

Post-Reorg

Luxembourg

4%

Manufacturing Plant and Equipment

5

Building & Development

Secured Loan

Defaulted

US

1%

Land

Total

 

 

 

 

59%

 

 

 

 

[For Investment Structure of the Company, click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view page 3 in the associated PDF document]

 

  http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5119V_1-2021-4-14.pdf

 

Extended Life Share Class

 

Top 10 Holdings at 31 December 2020

 

 

Holding

 

Sector

Purchased Instrument

 

Status

 

Country

% of NAV

 

Primary Asset

1

Specialty Packaging

Post-Reorg Equity

Post-Reorg

Luxembourg

15%

Manufacturing Plant and Equipment

2

Shipping

Secured Loan / Private Equity

Post-Reorg

Marshall Islands

14%

Ships

3

Financial Intermediaries

Secured Notes

Defaulted

US

12%

Cash and Securities

4

Surface Transport

Trade Claim

Defaulted

Brazil

11%

Municipal Claim

5

Commercial Mortgage

Secured Loan

Defaulted

Netherlands

9%

Commercial Real Estate

6

Lodging & Casinos

Secured Notes

Post-Reorg

US

7%

Hotel/Lodging Real Estate and Casino

7

Surface Transport

Secured Loan

Defaulted

Spain

7%

Concession

8

Oil & Gas

Post-Reorg Equity

Post-Reorg

US

7%

Ethanol Plant

9

Lodging & Casinos

Secured Loan

Defaulted

US

6%

Hotel/Lodging Real Estate and Casino

10

Auto Components

Secured Loan

Post-Reorg

US

4%

Manufacturing Plant and Equipment

Total

 

 

 

 

92%

 

 

[For Investment Structure of the Company, click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view page 4 in the associated PDF document]

 

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5119V_1-2021-4-14.pdf

 

New Global Share Class

 

Top 71 Holdings at 31 December 2020

 

 

Holding

 

Sector

Purchased Instrument

 

Status

 

  Country

% of NAV

 

Primary Asset

1

Lodging & Casino

Secured Loan / Private Equity

Current

Spain

27%

Hotel/Casino

2

Commercial Mortgage

Secured Loan

Defaulted

Netherlands

22%

Commercial Real Estate

3

Surface Transportation

Secured Loan

Defaulted

Spain

15%

Legal Claim

4

Shipping

Secured Loan / Private Equity

Post-Reorg

Marshall Islands

11%

Ships

5

Lodging & Casino

Secured Notes

Defaulted

US

7%

Hotel/Casino

6

Oil & Gas

Private Equity

Post-Reorg

US

6%

Ethanol Plant

7

Auto Components

Secured Loan

Post-Reorg

US

3%

Manufacturing Plant

Total

 

 

 

 

91%

 

 

[For Investment Structure of the Company, click on, or paste the following link into your web browser, to view page 5 in the associated PDF document]

 

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5119V_1-2021-4-14.pdf

 

1 Global Share Class holds seven investments by issuer

 

  

2020 PERFORMANCE REVIEW | Strategic Report

Strategic Report

 

Since 31 March 2017, the Portfolios have all been in their respective harvest period. As such this strategic report is presented in the context of the current positioning of the Portfolios in their lifecycle. The Company's corporate umbrella itself has an indefinite life to allow for flexibility for the Company to add new share classes if demand, market opportunities and shareholder approval supported such a move, although the Company has no current plans to create new share classes.

 

Principal and Emerging Risks and Risk Management

 

The Board is responsible for the Company's system of internal financial and operating controls and for reviewing its effectiveness. The Board uses the Company's risk matrix as its core element in establishing the Company's system of internal financial and reporting controls. The Board has carried out a robust assessment of the Company's emerging and principal risks and uncertainties including those that would threaten its business model, future performance, solvency or liquidity. The principal risks, which have been identified, and the steps taken by the Board to mitigate these areas are as follows:

 

RISK

MITIGATION

 

 

Investment Activity and Performance

An unsuccessful investment strategy may result in underperformance against the Company's objectives. This might be due to the skills of the Investment Manager falling short in its selection of sectors or issues in which to invest and its management of the restructurings/reorganisations which can ensure their success.

The Board has managed these risks by ensuring a diversification of investments, although the level of diversification will diminish as the respective Portfolios liquidate their positions during their harvest periods. Please see "Principal Risks Specific to Harvest Periods" below. The Investment Manager operates in accordance with the investment limits and restrictions policy set out in the Company's Investment Policy and Objectives and as further determined by the Board. The Directors review the limits and restrictions on a regular basis and the Administrator monitors adherence to the limits and restrictions every month and will notify any breaches to the Board. The Investment Manager provides the Board with management information including performance data and reports, and the Corporate Broker provides shareholder analyses. The Directors monitor the implementation and results of the investment process with the Investment Manager at each Board meeting and monitor risk factors in respect of the Portfolios. Investment strategy is reviewed at each meeting.

 

Principal Risks Associated with Harvest Periods

There can be a significant period between the date the Company makes an investment and the date that any gain or loss on such investment is realised. Further, towards the end of the Portfolios' respective harvest periods, a residual amount is required to be retained for each share class in accordance with regulatory requirements until such time that all assets can be liquidated and returned to shareholders.

 

 

As capital is returned through compulsory partial redemptions and buybacks, the number of assets and shares in a Portfolio will diminish which in turn may lead to an increased TER and reduced liquidity in a Portfolio's shares.

 

The Board has ensured that the Investment Manager has operated in accordance with the investment limits and restrictions policy set out in the Company's Investment Policy and Objectives, although it acknowledges that the diversification of Portfolio investments will diminish as the Portfolios liquidate their positions and return capital to shareholders. The Board also receives regular updates on the status of the Portfolios' investments and anticipated realisation dates.

 

The Board monitors the Company's expenses on a regular basis and ensures that contracts with the Investment Manager and other service providers are at competitive rates. The Board also notes that the Company's key expenses, such as the management fee, will diminish in line with a reduction of assets.

 

The Company retains the services of its broker, Jefferies International Limited 1 to, amongst other things, enhance liquidity in the underlying shares.

 

 

1 Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited until 13 September 2020

 

 

Level of Premium or Discount

A discount or premium to NAV can occur for a variety of reasons, including market conditions and the extent to which investors undervalue the management activities of the Investment Manager or discount its valuation methodology and judgement.

While the Directors may seek to mitigate any discount or premium to NAV per share through discount management mechanisms, such as buybacks or share issuance, there can be no guarantee that they will do so or that such mechanisms will be successful and the Directors accept no responsibility for any failure of any such strategy to effect a reduction in any discount or premium.

 

Market Price Risk

Market price risk is the potential for changes in the value of an investment or Portfolio. The market value of investments may vary because of a number of factors including, but not limited to, the financial condition of the underlying borrowers, the industry in which a borrower operates, general economic or political conditions, interest rates, the condition of the debt trading markets and certain other financial markets, developments or trends in any particular industry and changes in prevailing interest rates.

 

Further details on market price risk are provided in Note 4 below.

 

 

The Board has, over the Investment Periods of the various share classes, ensured that the Investment Manager has operated in accordance with the Company's investment guidelines. The Directors monitor the status of the Portfolio investments with the Investment Manager at each quarterly Board meeting and monitor risk factors in respect of the Portfolios.

 

 

Fair Valuation of Illiquid Assets

With respect to investments that do not have a readily ascertainable market quotation in an active market, the Investment Manager will value such investments at fair value and such valuations will be inherently uncertain. Because of the inherent uncertainty and subjectivity in determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily ascertainable market quotation in an active market, the fair value of the Company's investments as determined in good faith by the Investment Manager may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments. The reliability of the NAV calculations published by the Company will be impacted accordingly.

With respect to investments comprised in the Company's Portfolios that do not have a readily available market quotation, such as unquoted investments or investments which are listed but deemed to be illiquid, the Investment Manager values such investments at fair value on each NAV calculation date in accordance with its customary valuation methods, policies and procedures. Further information on the Company's valuation process can be found in Note 2(g) under "Investment Transactions, investment income/expenses and valuation", and Note 2(f), "Fair Value of Financial Instruments", of the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements (the "Financial Statements").

 

The Board monitors, reviews and challenges the Company's fair valued assets on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the agreed methodology. The Board reviews the Investment Manager's internal review process.

 

Accounting, Legal and Regulatory

The Company must comply with the provisions of the Law, and since its shares trade on the SFS, the Company is required to comply with the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules ("DTRs"). A breach of the legislation could result in the Company and/or the Directors being fined or subject to criminal proceedings and the suspension of the Company's shares to trading on the SFS.

 

 

The Board relies on the Company Secretary and the Company's advisers to ensure adherence to the Guernsey legislation and the DTRs. The Investment Manager, Company Secretary and the Administrator, are contracted to provide investment, company secretarial, administration and accounting services through qualified professionals.

 

Operational

Disruption to, or the failure of, either the Investment Manager's or the Administrator's accounting, dealings or payment systems, or the records of the custodian could lead to a loss of assets and prevent the accurate reporting or monitoring of the Company's financial position.

 

 

 

 

Details of how the Board monitors the services provided by the Investment Manager and the Administrator, and the key elements designed to provide effective internal controls are explained further in the internal controls section of the Corporate Governance Report which is set out below.

Emerging Risks

 

The Board undertakes a quarterly assessment of all risks on a forward-looking basis, and in discussion with the Investment Manager identifies emerging risks in addition to assessing expected changes to existing risks as discussed above. The Board assesses the likelihood and impact of emerging risks. The Board will discuss and agree appropriate mitigation or management of emerging risks as relevant to those emerging risks. Such examples of emerging risks identified in the year included, the emergence of COVID-19, climate related risks and the issuance of new regulations, new risks associated with the Brexit trade deal and the results of the US presidential election. Emerging risks are managed through discussion of the likelihood and impact at each quarterly Board meeting. Should an emerging risk be determined to have any potential impact on the Company, appropriate mitigating measures and controls are agreed. Whilst COVID-19 was identified as an emerging risk, it has been discussed on a quarterly basis as a continued risk, it is however not a principal risk. The Board have actively monitored its service providers for operational resilience and the impact of COVID-19 on the portfolio which is discussed in the Chairman's Statement above.

 

Going Concern

 

The Company's principal activities are set out in the Business Model section above. The financial position of the Company is set out in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities below. In addition, note 4 to the Financial Statements includes the Company's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital, its financial risk management and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk.

 

The Directors have undertaken a rigorous review of the Company's ability to continue as a going concern including reviewing the on-going cash flows and the level of cash balances, the likely liquidity of investments and any income deriving from those investments as of the reporting date as well as taking into consideration the impacts of COVID-19 and have determined that the Company has adequate financial resources to meet its liabilities as they fall due. The Directors therefore have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the twelve months from the date these accounts are signed and the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the Financial Statements and confirm that they have been prepared in accordance with Guidance on the Going Concern Basis of Accounting and Reporting on Solvency and Liquidity Risks, published by the FRC.

 

The going concern statement required by the 2019 AIC Code of Corporate Governance (the "AIC Code") is set out in the "Directors' Responsibilities Statement" below.

 

Viability Statement

 

In accordance with provision 8.2 paragraph 36 of the AIC Code of Corporate Governance, published in February 2019 (the "AIC Code"), the Directors have assessed the future prospects of the Company. In making their assessment the Directors have considered the Company's status as an investment entity, its investment objectives, the principal and emerging risks it faces, its current position and the time period over which its assets are likely to be realised.

 

In their assessment of the viability of the Company over the forthcoming two years, being the expected time to realisation of the final assets, the Directors have carried out a robust assessment of the emerging risks, principal risks and uncertainties the Company faces, as detailed in the Strategic Report above. These risks include the timing of asset realisations during the Portfolios' harvest periods, the Company's income and expenditure projections, and the expected cash flows arising in particular from capital distributions to shareholders. The Directors noted that such distributions may be restricted if the interest and dividend income generated in the Portfolios is not sufficient to meet operational expenses.

 

As part of their review, the Directors carried out a series of stress tests under different scenarios which assumed a significant fall in income and asset levels and a corresponding increase in expenses and were satisfied with the results of this analysis. The Directors have performed a quantitative and qualitative analysis that included the Company's income and expenditure projections and the fact that the Company's investments can be expected to be sold, within a reasonable timeframe, to meet future funding requirements if necessary. As part of this assessment, the Directors reviewed a series of stress test scenarios carried out by the Investment Manager, which included an assumption of a significant (60%) fall in income and no reduction in expenses, and were satisfied that the Company would continue to be viable financially.

 

The Directors have concluded that there is a reasonable expectation that the Company will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the remaining life of each of its three share classes, which the Directors consider to be the two year period to 31 December 2022. However, the Directors noted that the prospects for the Company, which has an indefinite life, are subject to change should the Company add new share classes to its structure before the existing Portfolios' assets are fully realised.

 

Key Performance Indicators

 

In order to measure the success of the Company in meeting its objectives and to evaluate the performance of the Investment Manager, the Directors take into account the following performance indicators:

 

· Returns and NAV - At each meeting the Board reviews and compares against other debt-orientated investment companies and various indices the performance of the Portfolios as well as the NAV, income and share price of each share class. To assist in this review the Board considers formal reports from both the Investment Manager and brokers which assess the performance of the asset class and look at trading activity. The Investment Manager also provides an in-depth analysis of the holdings within the Portfolios;

 

· Discount/premium to NAV - At each Board meeting, the Board monitors the level of the Company's discount or premium to NAV per share class and reviews the average discount/premium for other debt-orientated investment companies. The Company publishes a NAV per share on a daily basis through the official newswire of the London Stock Exchange. The Company's Extended Life Shares traded between a discount of 20.8% and 46.8% with an average discount of 33.0 %. The Company's New Global Shares traded between a discount of 8.3% and 22.4 % with an average discount of 19.5 %. The Company's Ordinary Share Class did not trade at a discount during the year ended 31 December 2020.

 

· Ongoing Charges - In the year to 31 December 2020, the Company's Ongoing Charges were 2.38%. This figure is based on an annual expense figure for the year of $3,198,067. This figure, which has been prepared in accordance with AIC guidance represents the Company's management fees and all other operating expenses, excluding finance costs payable, expressed as a percentage of average net assets. No performance fees were payable as at 31 December 2020. The Ongoing Charges by share class are disclosed in the Financial Highlights section above.

 

•   Total Expense Ratio ("TER") - In the year to 31 December 2020, the Company's TER was 2.72%. This figure is based on an annual expense figure for the year of $3,662,388. This figure which has been prepared in accordance with the US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("US GAAP") methodology, represents the annual percentage reduction in shareholder returns as a result of recurring operational expenses including any performance fee. No performance fees were payable as at 31 December 2020. The TERs by share class are disclosed in the Financial Highlights above.

 

Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs")

 

Alternative Performance Measures ("APMs") included in the Annual Financial Report and Financial Statements which require further clarification have been considered by the Board. An APM is defined as 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. APMs may not have a standard meaning prescribed by US GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other entities. APMs included in the Annual Report and Financial Statements are deemed to be as follows:

 

Alternative performance

measures

 

 

PURPOSE and/or description

 

 

CALCULATION

Internal Rate of Return ("IRR")

 

The IRR is calculated by first calculating the net present value (NPV), being (Today's value of the expected future cash flows) - (Today's value of invested cash). The IRR is a determination of what discount rate would cause the net present value (NPV) of an investment to be $0.

 

 

Rate of Return ("ROR")

 

The RoR is the net gain or loss on an investment over a specified time period, expressed as a percentage of the investment's initial cost.

 

It is calculated by taking the difference between the current (or expected) value and original value, divided by original value and multiplied by 100.

 

Opening NAV per share  (A)

Closing NAV per share (B)

Rate of Return = (B-A)/A

Total Expense Ratio ("TER")

 

The TER is Management fees and all other operating expenses expressed as a percentage of average net assets during the year.

 

Annualised charges (A) 

Average undiluted net asset value in the period (B)

 

Total Expense Ratio (%) = (A)/(B)

 

On-going charges

 

On-going Charges are calculated to the AIC Methodology, which is a measure, expressed as a percentage of NAV, of the regular, recurring costs of the Company. "On-going charges are those expenses of a type which are likely to recur in the foreseeable future, whether charged to capital or revenue, and which relate to the operation of Company, excluding the costs of acquisition/disposal of investments, financing charges and gains/losses arising on investments. Ongoing charges are based on costs incurred in the year as being the best estimate of future costs".

 

Ongoing charges (%) = (A)/(B)

Annualised ongoing charges (A) 

Average undiluted net asset value in the period (B)

 

Net Asset Value per share ("NAV")

 

The NAV per share represents the net assets attributable to equity shareholders divided by the number of shares in issue, excluding any shares held in treasury.

The NAV per Ordinary Share is published daily. This APM relates to past performance and is used to assess performance.

 

 

Total Return

 

Total return is expressed as a percentage of the amount invested and represents the amount of value our investors earn from a security over a specific period.

 

Original Investment cost (A)

Current Investments value (B)

 

Total Return = (B-A)/A

 

Ratio of Total Value to original capital

Ratio of Total Value to original capital is a total of NAV plus capital returned to investors expressed as a percentage of the original amount invested since inception.

 

Total Capital Distributions (A)

Total Income Distributions (B)

Total Buybacks (C)

Current NAV (D)

 

Total of NAV Plus Capital Returned, where (E) = A+B+C+D

 

Original Capital Invested (F)

 

Ratio of Total Value to original capital (%) = E/F

 

(Discount) or Premium to NAV

 

The share price of an Investment Company is derived from buyers and sellers trading their shares on the stock market. This price is not identical to the NAV. If the share price is lower than the NAV per share, the shares are trading at a discount. This could indicate that there are more sellers than buyers. Shares trading at a price above the NAV per share, are said to be at a premium. This is expressed as a percentage. 

 

NAV per share (NBDD)  (A) 

Share price per share (NBDD)  (B) 

 

NBDD (Discount) or Premium = (B-A)/A

 

NAV per share (NBDX)  (A) 

Share price per share (NBDX)  (B) 

 

NBDX (Discount) or Premium = (B-A)/A

 

NAV per share (NBDG)  (A) 

Share price per share (NBDG)  (B) 

 

NBDG (Discount) or Premium = (B-A)/A

 

 

 

Management Arrangements

 

Investment Management Agreement

 

On 17 July 2014, the Company, the Manager and the AIFM made certain classificatory amendments to their contractual arrangements for the purposes of compliance with the European Commission's Directive on Alternative Investment Fund Managers (the "AIFM Directive"). The Sub-Investment Management Agreement was terminated on 17 July 2014 and   Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC, which was the Sub-Investment Manager, was appointed as the AIFM per the amended and restated Investment Management Agreement ("IMA") dated 17 July 2014. The IMA was further amended and restated on 31 December 2017. Under this agreement, the AIFM is responsible for risk management and day-to-day discretionary management of the Company's Portfolios (including un-invested cash). The risk management and discretionary portfolio management functions are performed independently of each other within the AIFM structure. The AIFM is not required to, and generally will not, submit individual investment decisions for approval by the Board. The Manager, Neuberger Berman Europe Limited, was appointed under the same IMA to provide, amongst other things, certain administrative services to the Company. Please refer to Note 6 below for details of fee entitlement.

 

The IMA can be terminated either by the Company on one hand or the Investment Manager on the other, but in certain circumstances, the Company would be required to pay compensation to the Investment Manager of six months' management charges. No compensation is payable if notice of termination of more than six months is given. Effective 1 October 2020 the Investment Manager waived its fee on cash in relation to the NBDD share class. Effective 18 March 2021, the Investment Manager waived its entitlement to all fees from the Company.

 

Administration and Custody Agreement

 

Effective 1 March 2015, the Company entered into an Administration and Sub-Administration Agreement with U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Guernsey) Limited ("USBG") and U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Ireland) Limited ("USBI") a wholly-owned subsidiary of USBG. Under the terms of the agreement, Sub-Administration services are delegated to USBI (the "Sub-Administrator"). US Bank National Association (the "Custodian") was appointed custodian to the Company effective 1 March 2015. See Note 6 below for details of fee entitlement.

 

On 1 June 2018 the Company entered into an Amendment to the Administration and Sub-Administration agreement to reflect the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR") and the Data Protection (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2017, as amended from time to time.

 

Company Secretarial and Registrar Arrangements

 

Effective 20 June 2017, company secretarial services are provided by Carey Commercial Limited. Registrar services are provided by Link Market Services (Guernsey) Limited.

 

See Note 6 below for details of fee entitlement.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

The contracts with the Investment Manager and Directors are the only related party transactions currently in place. Other than fees payable in the ordinary course of business there have been no material transactions with these related parties which have affected the financial position or performance of the Company in the financial year.

 

For information on performance fees and Directors' fees please refer to Note 6 below.

 

For and on behalf of the Board,

 

 

John Hallam                                                             Christopher Legge

Chairman  Director

14 April 2021                                                                                             14 April 2021

 

 

GOVERNANCE | Directors

 

Directors

 

John Hallam (Chairman)

 

John Hallam is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and qualified as an accountant in 1971. Previously, Mr Hallam was a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and retired in 1999 after 27 years with the firm in Guernsey and in other countries. He is a director of Real Estate Credit Investment Limited and a number of other financial services companies, some of which are listed on recognised exchanges. Mr Hallam served for many years as a member and latterly chairman of the GFSC, from which he retired in 2006.

  

Michael J. Holmberg

Michael J. Holmberg, Managing Director of Neuberger Berman, joined the NB Group in 2009. Mr Holmberg is the head of distressed portfolio management. Prior to joining NB Group, Mr Holmberg founded Newberry Capital Management LLC in 2006 and before that he founded and managed Ritchie Capital Management's Special Credit Opportunities Group. He was also a managing director at Strategic Value Partners and Moore Strategic Value Partners. He began investing in distressed and credit oriented strategies as a portfolio manager at Continental Bank/Bank of America, where he established the bank's global proprietary capital account. Mr Holmberg received a BA in economics from Kenyon College and an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Christopher Legge (Chairman of the Audit Committee)

 

Chris Legge is a Guernsey resident and worked for Ernst & Young in Guernsey from 1983 to 2003. Having joined the firm as an audit manager in 1983, he was appointed a partner in 1986 and managing partner in 1998. From 1990 to 1998, he was head of Audit and Accountancy and was responsible for the audits of a number of banking, insurance, investment fund, property fund and other financial services clients. He also had responsibility for the firm's training, quality control and compliance functions. He was appointed managing partner for the Channel Islands region in 2000 and merged the business with Ernst & Young LLP in the United Kingdom. He retired from Ernst & Young in 2003. Chris currently holds a number of non-executive directorships in the financial services sector including several Guernsey investment companies which are listed in the UK and where he also chairs the Audit Committee. He is an FCA and holds a BA (Hons) in Economics from the University of Manchester.

 

Stephen Vakil (Chairman of the Management Engagement Committee and Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and Senior Independent Director)

 

After graduating with a BSc in economics from Bath University in 1983, Stephen Vakil joined L Messel & Co and moved to Chase Manhattan in 1987 to focus on private client portfolio management. In 1989, he left to join Foster & Braithwaite where he established the research function and subsequently became a director. Following Foster & Braithwaite's merger with Quilter Goodison to form Quilter & Co in 1996, Mr Vakil was given responsibility for the London investment teams, the research department and marketing function. He was made a managing director in 2001. Having played a key role in a number of corporate transactions, Mr Vakil left Quilter Cheviot in 2013. He is an Associate of the Society of Investment Professionals.  

 

  

GOVERNANCE | Directors' Report

Directors' Report

 

The Directors present their report and Financial Statements of the Company and their report for the year ended 31 December 2020. 

 

Share Capital

 

The number of shares in issue at 31 December 2020 was as follows:

Class A Shares      2

Ordinary Shares    15,382,770

Extended Life Shares    80,545,074

New Global Shares    41,116,617

 

Share Buybacks

 

At the Annual General Meeting ("AGM") of the Company held on 25 June 2020, the Directors were granted the general authority to purchase in the market up to 14.99% of the Ordinary Shares, 14.99% of the Extended Life Shares and 14.99% of the New Global Shares in issue (as at 25 June 2020). The latest authority will expire at the AGM to be held on 24 June 2021. Pursuant to this authority, and subject to the Law and the discretion of the Directors, the Company may purchase shares of any of its classes in the market on an ongoing basis with a view to addressing any imbalance between the supply of and demand for such shares, thereby increasing the NAV per share of the shares and assisting in controlling the share price discount to NAV per share.

 

During the year, 3,661,822 Extended Life Shares and 3,035,833 New Global Shares were repurchased by the Company for immediate cancellation for gross consideration of $1,857,123 and £1,578,657 respectively. There were no buybacks of the Company's Ordinary Shares in 2020. As noted in the Chairman's Statement above, on 16 November 2020 the Company announced in its quarterly Factsheet that the share buyback programme was discontinued. The buyback programme was intended to narrow the discount, if any, during the investment period. At this point of the harvest period, the priority, based on investor feedback, is the return of capital. The Directors intend to seek annual renewal of this authority from Shareholders to retain flexibility.

 

Distributions

 

The Company will, from time to time, pay out income distributions by way of dividend in respect of each share class in accordance with the Company's dividend policy as set out below. In addition, any capital proceeds attributable to a share class (as determined by the Directors in accordance with the Articles), will, at such times and in such amounts as the Directors shall in their absolute discretion determine, be distributed to shareholders of that class pro rata to their respective holdings of the relevant shares. Further information on the Company's income and capital distribution policies can be found in the Distributions to Shareholders section above.

 

Dividend Policy

 

As set out in the Company's Prospectus, the Company will pay out in respect of each class of shares an income distribution by way of dividend, comprising all net income received on investments of the Company attributable to such class of shares. It is not anticipated that income from the portfolio will be material and therefore any dividends may be on an ad-hoc basis. It is a requirement of an exception to the United Kingdom offshore fund rules that all income from the Company's Portfolio (after deduction of reasonable expenses) is to be paid to investors. This policy should ensure that this requirement will be met. The exact amount of such dividend in respect of any class of Shares will be variable depending on the amounts of income received by the Company attributable to such class of Shares and will only be made available in accordance with applicable law at the relevant time, including the Law (and, in particular, will be subject to the Company passing the solvency test contained in the Law at the relevant time). Furthermore, the amount of dividends paid in respect of one class of shares may be different from that of another class. This policy will be put to a shareholder vote by way of separate resolution at the 2021 AGM.

 

Distributions made during the year

 

Set out below are details of the distributions made during the year.

 

Income distribution by way of dividend

 

There was no dividend due for the period ending 31 December 2020.

 

Capital distributions by way of a compulsory partial redemption

 

 

Ordinary Share Class

Extended Life Share Class

New Global Share Class

Date

Distribution Amount

Number of Shares

Per Share Amount

Distribution Amount

Number of Shares

Per Share Amount

Distribution Amount

Number of Shares

Per Share

Amount

19 March 2020

-

-

-

4,986,260

5,434,023

$0.9176

-

-

-

18 May 2020

-

-

-

7,491,958

9,536,606

$0.7856

7,493,478

11,206,038

£0.6687

30 June 2020

-

-

-

10,491,960

14,969,269

$0.7009

10,493,475

16,429,427

£0.6387

                     

 

Substantial Share Interests

 

Based upon information deemed to be reliable as provided by the Company's registrar as at 31 March 2021, the following shareholders owned 5% or more of the issued shares of the Company.

 

 

 

Substantial Shareholders

 

No. of Ordinary Shares

 

No. of Extended Life Shares

 

No. of New Global Shares

Percentage of Share Class (%)

Harewood Nominees Limited 4046320 ACCT

12,711,139

-

-

82.63

Prudential Client HSBC GIS Nominee (UK) Limited PAC ACCT

-

-

12,308,287

29.94

Prudential Client HSBC GIS Nominee (UK) Limited PAC ACCT

-

14,345,466

-

17.81

State Street Nominees Limited OM04 ACCT

-

7,152,574

-

8.88

State Street Nominees Limited OM04 ACCT

-

-

5,619,249

13.67

BNY(OCS) Nominees Limited

-

7,907,693

-

9.82

Nortrust Nominees Limited

-

-

3,830,779

9.32

Citibank Nominees (Ireland) Designated Activity Company CLRLUC ACCT

-

7,286,998

-

9.05

HSBC Global Custody Nominee (UK) Limited 898873 ACCT

-

-

3,559,990

8.66

Lynchwood Nominees 2006420 ACCT

-

6,195,233

-

7.69

Roy Nominees Limited 802644 ACCT

-

-

2,858,259

6.95

Nortrust Nominees Limited GSYA ACCT

-

-

2,500,000

6.08

 

 

 

 

 

Note: shareholdings may be greater than 5% in the share class but may not be 5% in aggregate of the Company's issued share capital.

 

 

Notifications of Shareholdings

 

In the year to 31 December 2020 the Company has been notified in accordance with Chapter 5 of the DTR (which covers the acquisition and disposal of major shareholdings and voting rights), of the following voting rights as a shareholder of the Company. When more than one notification has been received from any shareholder, only the latest notification is shown. For non-UK issuers, the thresholds prescribed under DTR 5.1.2 for notification of holdings commence at 5%. Class A shares do not hold voting rights.

 

 

 

Shareholder 1

 

Number of Shares

Percentage of total voting rights (%)

City of Bradford Met District Council (West Yorkshire Pension Fund)

3,270,047

4%

M&G Plc

16,876,142 NBDX

12,308,287 NBDG

11.98%

8.74%

 

Since the year end at the date of this report, there have been no notifications received by the Company.

 

 

Directorship Disclosures in Public Companies (as at 2 March 2021)

 

Company Names

Exchange(s)

Mr John Hallam

 

Investec Premier Funds PCC Limited

The International Stock Exchange ("TISE")

NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited

SFS, London

Real Estate Credit Investments Limited

London

Ruffer Multi Strategies Fund Limited

Euronext Dublin

Ruffer Illiquid Multi Strategies Fund 2015 Limited

TISE

 

 

Mr Michael Holmberg

 

NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited

SFS, London

 

 

Mr Christopher Legge

 

NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited

SFS, London

Sherborne Investors (Guernsey) B Limited

SFS, London

Sherborne Investors (Guernsey) C Limited

SFS, London

Twenty Four Select Monthly Income Fund Limited

London

 

 

Mr Stephen Vakil

 

NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited

SFS, London

The Property Hub REIT PLC

TISE

 

 

Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy

 

The Board of the Company has a zero tolerance approach to instances of bribery and corruption. Accordingly, it expressly prohibits any Director or associated persons, when acting on behalf of the Company, from accepting, soliciting, paying, offering or promising to pay or authorise any payment, public or private, in the United Kingdom or abroad to secure any improper benefit for them or for the Company. The Investment Manager has also adopted a zero tolerance approach to instances of bribery and corruption.

 

The Board insists on strict observance with these same standards by its service providers in their activities for the Company and continues to refine its process in this regard. The Company's policy is available on its website at www.nbddif.com/corporate_governance.html

 

Criminal Facilitation of Tax Evasion Policy

 

The Board of the Company has a zero tolerance commitment to preventing persons associated with it from engaging in criminal facilitation of tax evasion. The Board has satisfied itself in relation to its key service providers that they have reasonable provisions in place to prevent the criminal facilitation of tax evasion by their own associated persons and will not work with service providers who do not demonstrate the same zero tolerance commitment to preventing persons associated with it from engaging in criminal facilitation of tax evasion. The Company's policy is available on its website at www.nbddif.com/corporate_governance.html .

 

General Data Protection Regulation

 

The Company takes privacy and security of your information seriously and will only use such personal information as set out in the Company's privacy notice which can be found on the Company's website at: https://www.nbddif.com/pdf/NB_Privacy_Notice_2020.pdf  

 

COVID-19

 

As global virus outbreaks continue to occur, the COVID-19 virus remains a primary issue. The outbreaks and calls for additional lockdowns diminish near term virus containment hopes, while also restricting behaviour and curtailing more robust economic activity. Given these circumstances, the longer-term financial impact on the Company's assets remains difficult to predict. Despite the uncertainty, the Investment Manager remains committed to realising the investments in an orderly manner. However, the timing of the orderly realisation of some assets is less certain and the quantum of the proceeds therefrom is difficult to predict.

 

Employees and Socially Responsible Investment

 

The Company has a management contract with the Investment Manager. It has no employees and all of its Directors are non-executive, with day-to-day activities being carried out by third parties. There are therefore no disclosures to be made in respect of employees. The Company's main activities are carried out by Neuberger Berman, which is a signatory of the Principles of Responsible Investment and has an ongoing commitment to strengthening and refining its environmental, social and governance approach. An overview of Neuberger Berman's Principles for Responsible Investment is detailed on its website at www.nb.com/pages/public/en-gb/principles-for-responsible-investment.aspx .

 

Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

 

The Company has no significant greenhouse gas emissions to report from its operations for the year to 31 December 2020 (2019 - none), nor does it have responsibility for any other emissions producing sources.

 

Climate Change

 

In 2019, the Board identified activism relating to climate change as an emerging risk. The Board is conscious of its own impact on the environment, despite being an investment company with no employees, and has committed, on a going forward basis, to offset its carbon-emissions arising from the air travel by the members of the Board undertaking Company related business. In addition, the Board makes extensive use of teleconferencing facilities thus limiting the amount of travel, all board papers are produced and hosted digitally via a dedicated board web-portal and the Company makes relevant enquiries to our key service providers during face-to-face meetings about their initiatives and attitudes to climate change. In respect to the Company's investments, as an example, the three publicly traded shipping companies have all invested in modern, more fuel efficient vessels while selling or scrapping older, less efficient assets. These companies, as well as the private shipping investments, have worked to comply with the new environmentally friendly International Maritime Organization regulations that require either the use of cleaner fuel or the installation of scrubbers on each vessel to prevent the emission of sulphur oxide into the atmosphere.

  

Gender Metrics

 

The current Board members are male. More information on the Board's consideration of diversity is given in the Corporate Governance Report below.

 

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 ("MSA")

 

The MSA requires companies to prepare a slavery and human trafficking statement for each financial year of the organisation. As the Company has no employees and does not supply goods or services, the MSA does not directly apply to it. The MSA requirements more appropriately relate to the Investment Manager which is a signatory of the Principles of Responsible Investment (please see "Employees and Socially Responsible Investment" above) which include social factors such as working conditions, including slavery and child labour .   The MSA of the Investment Manager is available on its website at NB.com.

 

Employee Engagement & Business Relationships

 

The Company conducts its core activities through third-party service providers and does not have any employees. The Board recognises the benefits of fostering strong business relationships with its key service providers and seeks to ensure each is committed to the performance of their respective duties to a high standard and, where practicable, that each provider is motivated to adding value within their sphere of activity. Details on the Board's approach to service provider engagement and performance review are contained in the Management Engagement Committee Report.

 

Disclosure of Information to Auditors

 

The Directors who were members of the Board at the time of approving this report are listed in the Directors section above. Each of those Directors confirms that:

 

· to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, there is no information relevant to the preparation of their report of which the auditors are unaware; and

 

· he or she has taken all steps a director might reasonably be expected to have taken to be aware of relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditors are aware of that information.

 

 

For and on behalf of the Board.

 

 

John Hallam                                                             Christopher Legge

Chairman Director

14 April 2021       14 April 2021

 

 

 

GOVERNANCE | Corporate Governance Report

Corporate Governance Report

 

Applicable Corporate Governance Codes

 

As the Company is listed on the SFS it is only required to follow the GFSC code of corporate governance (the "Code"), applicable to Guernsey companies. However, the Board has chosen to follow the AIC Code of Corporate Governance published in February 2013 and last amended in February 2019 (the "AIC Code"). The AIC Code addresses all the principles set out in the Code as well as setting out additional principles and recommendations on issues that are of specific relevance to the Company .

 

On 1 January 2012, the GFSC's "Finance Sector Code of Corporate Governance" came into effect and was amended in February 2016 . The GFSC has stated in its Code that companies which report against the UK Corporate Governance Code (the "UK Code") or the AIC Code are deemed to meet their Code, and need take no further action.

 

The Board of the Company has considered the principles and recommendations of the 2019 AIC Code.

 

The Board considers that reporting against the principles and recommendations of the AIC Code will provide more relevant information to shareholders. Copies of the AIC Code can be found at www.theaic.co.uk.

 

Corporate Governance Statement

 

Throughout the year ended 31 December 2020 the Company has complied with the recommendations of the AIC Code and the relevant provisions of the UK Code, except where explanations have been provided.

 

The Directors believe that this Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements, presents a fair, balanced and understandable assessment of the Company's position and prospects, and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's performance, business model and strategy.

 

The Company complies with the corporate governance statement requirements pursuant to the FCA's DTRs by virtue of the information included in the Corporate Governance section of the Annual Report together with information contained in the Strategic Report and the Directors' Report.

 

Our Governance Framework

 

Chairman:   John Hallam

 

Responsibilities:

 

The leadership, operation and governance of the Board, ensuring effectiveness, and setting the agenda for the Board.

 

More details are provided in the Corporate Governance Report below.

 

Senior Independent Director:   Stephen Vakil

 

Responsibilities:

 

The Senior Independent Director's ("SID") role is to work closely with the chairman, acting as a sounding board and providing support, acting as an intermediary for other directors as and when necessary. The SID is available to shareholders and other non-executives to address any concerns or issues they feel have not been adequately dealt with through the usual channels of communication (i.e. through the chairman, other directors or Investment Management executives). The SID is also responsible, along with the non-executive Directors, for review of the chairman's performance and carrying out succession planning for the chairman's role as deemed appropriate. The SID is available to attend meetings with all shareholders to obtain a balanced understanding of their issues and concerns. A memo is available on the Company's website https://www.nbddif.com/pdf/Memorandum_on_the_Duties_of_the_26_August_2020.pdf .

 

 

The Board members of NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited

 

John Hallam (Chairman) - independent non-executive Director

Christopher Legge and Stephen Vakil - independent non-executive Directors

Michael Holmberg - non-executive Director

 

Responsibilities:

 

Overall conduct of the Company's business and setting the Company's strategy.

 

More details are provided below.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

MANAGEMENT ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE

 

Members:

 

Christopher Legge (Chairman)

Stephen Vakil

 

 

Members:

 

Stephen Vakil (Chairman)

John Hallam

Christopher Legge  

 

Responsibilities:

 

The provision of effective governance over the appropriateness of the Company's financial reporting including the adequacy of related disclosures, the performance of the external auditor, and the management of the Company's systems of internal controls and business risks.

 

More details are provided in the Audit Committee Report below.

 

Responsibilities:

 

To review the performance of all service providers (including the Investment Manager)

 

More details are provided in the Management Engagement Committee Report below.

 

REMUNEration Committee

inside information COMMITTEE

 

Members:

 

Stephen Vakil (Chairman)

John Hallam

Christopher Legge 

 

 

Members:

 

John Hallam

Michael Holmberg

Christopher Legge

Stephen Vakil

 

Responsibilities:

 

To review the on-going appropriateness and relevance of the remuneration policy.

 

More details are provided in the Remuneration Committee below.

 

Responsibilities:

 

To identify inside information and monitor the disclosure and control of inside information.

 

More details are provided in the Inside Information Committee below.

 

 

Board Independence and Composition

 

The biographical details of the Directors holding office at the date of this report are listed in the Directors' report above and demonstrate a breadth of investment, accounting and professional experience.

 

Whilst in April 2020 John Hallam had served on the Board for over ten years, the Board remains satisfied that John Hallam continues to exercise independent judgement, and that retaining the depth of knowledge of the Company held by John is in the best interests of the Company as a whole, given the current position of the Company.

 

John Hallam, Christopher Legge and Stephen Vakil are considered independent from the Investment Manager. Michael Holmberg is deemed not independent as he is employed by a Neuberger Berman group company.

 

The Board believes that Mr Holmberg brings a significant amount of experience and expertise to the Board; however, as a non-independent Director, Mr Holmberg does not sit on the Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee or the Management Engagement Committee and is not involved in any matters discussed by the Board concerning the evaluation of the performance of the Investment Manager.

 

The Directors review their independence annually.

 

The Company Secretary through its representative acts as Secretary to the Board and Committees and in doing so it:

 

· assists the Chairman in ensuring that all Directors have full and timely access to all relevant documentation;

· will organise induction of new Directors; and

· is responsible for ensuring that the correct Board procedures are followed and advises the Board on corporate governance matters.

 

Directors' Appointment

 

No Director has a service contract with the Company. Directors have agreed letters of appointment with the Company, copies of which are available for review by shareholders at the Registered Office and will be available at the 2021 AGM. The length of service of each Director is shown in the Directors' Remuneration Report below. Any Director may resign in writing to the Board at any time.

 

The Board has formal, rigorous and transparent procedures for the appointment of additional directors. Candidates are identified and selected on merit against objective criteria and with due regard to the benefits of diversity on the Board, including gender. The Board undertakes a broad search which includes obtaining lists of potential candidates from a variety of sources leading to agreed short-lists. Interviews are then held with potential candidates. The skills, experience and time availability of each candidate is considered by the Board with due regard to the skills and experience necessary to replace those lost by retirements or otherwise considered desirable to strengthen the Board. Short-listed candidates are invited to meet the Chairman and the Investment Manager and feedback is provided to the Board prior to selection.

 

In accordance with the AIC Code all current Directors offer themselves for re-election at the 2021 AGM of the Company; John Hallam, Michael Holmberg, Christopher Legge and Stephen Vakil were re-elected as Directors at the AGM on 25 June 2020. The names and biographies of the Directors holding office at the date of this report are listed in the Directors' Report above.

 

Tenure of Non-Executive Directors

 

The Board has adopted a policy on tenure that is considered appropriate for an investment company. Mr Hallam has served as a director of the Company for over ten years. The Board does not believe that length of service, by itself, leads to a closer relationship with the Investment Manager or necessarily affects a Director's independence. The Board has sought to appoint Directors with past and current experience of various areas relevant to the Company's business. The Board agreed to adopt an amended tenure and succession policy in February 2018 which is reflective of the Board's belief that it is not in the best interests of shareholders to replenish the Board at the current time when the long-term outlook of the umbrella of the Company is unknown, save for the appointment of directors to fill a key vacant position with due regard to the skills and experience necessary to replace those lost by Directors' retirements.

 

Directors are expected to devote such time as is necessary to enable them to discharge their duties. Other business relationships, including those that conflict or may potentially conflict with the interests of the Company, are taken into account when appointing Board members and are monitored on a regular basis.  

 

Re-election of Directors

 

John Hallam, Michael Holmberg, Christopher Legge and Stephen Vakil have confirmed their intention to submit themselves for re-election at the next AGM to be held on 24 June 2021.

 

The Board recognises that the Portfolios are now in their harvest periods and, as such, it believes that it is in the best interests of shareholders and the Company to maintain the current Board composition for the time being in order to benefit from the Directors' technical knowledge and experience of managing the Company's affairs as the assets continue to wind down. The Board confirmed that the contributions made by the Directors offering themselves for re-election at the AGM on 25 June 2020 continue to be effective and that the Company should support their re-election.

 

The dates of appointment of all Directors are provided in the Directors' Remuneration Committee Report below.

 

Board Diversity

 

The Board considers that its members have a balance of skills and experience which are relevant to the Company. The Board notes the Davies Report, Hampton-Alexander Review and the Parker Review, and believes in the value and importance of diversity in the boardroom but it does not consider it is appropriate or in the interests of the Company and its shareholders to set prescriptive targets for gender, ethnicity, nationality or any other criterion of representation on the Board. At 31 December 2020, the Board members were male. The Board continues to focus on encouraging diversity of business skills and experience, recognising that directors with diverse skills sets, capabilities and experience gained from different backgrounds enhances the Board but has no current plans to refresh the Board.

 

Board Responsibilities

 

The Board reviews all aspects of the Company's affairs including the setting and monitoring of investment strategy and the review of investment performance. With the Portfolios now in their harvest periods, the Investment Manager takes decisions as to the sale of individual investments, in line with the investment policy and strategy set by the Board. The Investment Manager together with the Company Secretary and Administrator also ensures that all Directors receive, in a timely manner, all relevant management, regulatory and financial information relating to the Company and its portfolio of investments. Representatives of the Investment Manager attend each Board meeting, enabling the Directors to question any matters of concern or seek clarification on certain issues. Matters specifically reserved for decision by the full Board have been defined and a procedure adopted for Directors in the furtherance of their duties to take independent professional advice at the expense of the Company. This is available on the Company's website www.nbddif.com .

 

Conflict of Interests

 

Directors are required to disclose all actual and potential conflicts of interest to the Board as they arise and the Board may impose restrictions or refuse to authorise conflicts if deemed appropriate. The Directors have undertaken to notify the Company Secretary as soon as they become aware of any new potential conflicts of interest that would need to be approved by the Board. Only Directors who have no material interest in the matter being considered will be able to participate in the Board approval process. 

 

It has also been agreed that the Directors will advise the Chairman and the Company Secretary in advance of any proposed external appointment. 

 

None of the Directors had a material interest in any contract, which is significant to the Company's business during the year ended 31 December 2020, except Michael Holmberg, an employee of the Neuberger Berman Group of which the Investment Manager is a part.

 

The Directors' Remuneration Report below provides information on the remuneration and interests of the Directors.

 

Performance Evaluation

 

The performance of the Board, its Committees and the Directors, including the Chairman, was reviewed by the Board on 26 August 2020, by means of an internal questionnaire. The Company Secretary collated the results of the questionnaires and the consolidated results were reviewed and discussed by the Board and by the Remuneration Committee. The Chairman reviewed each individual Director's contribution.

 

The 2020 evaluation concluded that:

 

· the performance of the Board, its committees, the Chairman and each of the Directors continues to be effective;

· Mr Hallam, Mr Legge and Mr Vakil are unanimously considered independent;

· all current Directors should be proposed for re-election at the 2021 AGM; and

· the Board was considered to have an appropriate mix of skills and experience.

 

The Board intends to conduct another internal board evaluation in August 2021, and will continue to review its procedures, its effectiveness and development in the year ahead.

 

The Directors noted that all three share classes were currently in harvest phase and agreed that, due to the position of the Company, it was not beneficial or necessary to incur the costs of an externally facilitated external evaluation. The Directors agreed that if the Company's life were extended, further consideration would be given to an externally facilitated evaluation and therefore agreed to keep this position under review.

 

The Remuneration and Nomination Committee (excluding John Hallam) led by the Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee reviewed the Chairman. It was agreed that the Chairman was well-regarded by the other Board members and that he provided excellent depth of knowledge of the Company. In addition, the Chairman has actively offered himself to meet with shareholders over the year.

 

Induction/Information and Professional Development

 

Directors are provided, on a regular basis, with key information on the Company's policies, regulatory requirements and its internal controls. Regulatory and legislative changes affecting Directors' responsibilities are advised to the Board as they arise along with changes to best practice by, amongst others, the Company Secretary and the Auditor. Advisers to the Company also prepare reports for the Board from time to time on relevant topics and issues. In addition, Directors attend relevant seminars and events to allow them continually to refresh their skills and knowledge and keep up with changes within the investment company industry. The Chairman reviewed the training and development needs of each Director during the annual Board evaluation process. The Chairman confirmed that all directors actively kept up to date with industry developments and issues.

 

Independent Advice

 

The Board recognises that there may be occasions when one or more of the Directors feels it is necessary to take independent legal advice at the Company's expense. A procedure is set out in the Directors' letters of appointment to enable them to do so.

 

Indemnities

 

To the extent permitted by the Law, the Company's Articles provide an indemnity for the Directors against any liability except such (if any) as they shall incur by or through their own breach of trust, breach of duty or negligence. Each Director has an Instrument of Indemnity with the Company.

 

During the year, the Company has maintained insurance cover for its Directors and Officers under a Directors' and Officers' liability insurance policy. 

 

Relationship with the Investment Manager, Company Secretary, Administrator and Sub-Administrator

 

All of the Company's management and administration functions are delegated to external parties including the management of the investment Portfolios, the custodial services (including the safeguarding of assets), the registration services and the day-to-day company secretarial, administration and accounting services. Each of these contracts was entered into after full and proper consideration by the Board of the quality and cost of services offered, including the control systems in operation in so far as they relate to the affairs of the Company. The Management Engagement Committee is responsible for the oversight of service providers.

 

The Board receives and considers reports regularly from the Investment Manager and ad hoc reports and information are supplied to the Board as required. With the Portfolios now in their harvest periods, the Investment Manager takes decisions as to the sale of individual investments. The Investment Manager, Company Secretary, Administrator and Sub-Administrator also ensure that all Directors receive, in a timely manner, all relevant management, regulatory and financial information. Representatives of the Investment Manager, Administrator and Sub-Administrator attend each Board meeting enabling the Directors to probe further into matters of concern.

 

The Directors have access to the advice and service of the corporate Company Secretary through its appointed representative who is responsible to the Board for ensuring that Board procedures are followed and that applicable rules and regulations are complied with. The Board, the Investment Manager, Company Secretary, the Administrator and Sub-Administrator operate in a supportive, co-operative and open environment.

 

Shareholder Engagement

 

The Board believes that the maintenance of good relations with shareholders is important for the long term prospects of the Company. It has, since admission, sought engagement with investors. Where appropriate, the Chairman, and other Directors are available for discussion about governance and strategy with major shareholders and the Chairman ensures communication of shareholders' views to the Board. The Board receives feedback on the views of shareholders from its Corporate Broker ("Broker") and the Investment Manager, and shareholders are welcome to contact the Directors at any time via the Company Secretary by email at: NB.Distressed@wearecarey.com.

 

The Directors believe that the AGM provides an appropriate forum for shareholders to communicate with the Board and encourages participation. There is an opportunity for individual shareholders to question the Chairman of the Board, the Audit Committee, Management Engagement Committee, Remuneration Committee and Inside Information Committee at the AGM. The Board also welcomes the opportunity to meet with investors on a one-to-one basis, upon request.

 

The Board assesses the results of AGMs and will consider whether there is a significant number of votes not lodged in favour of a resolution. Where the Board considers that a significant number of votes have not been lodged in favour of a resolution, an immediate announcement will be made and further disclosures will be made in the next Annual Report. The Broker and the Investment Manager will seek feedback from investors. In addition to this the Broker and the Investment Manager will provide the Board with feedback that has been received from investors about the performance of the Company and the Investment Manager.

 

Key Stakeholder Groups

 

The Company identifies its key stakeholder groups as follows:

 

Shareholders

All Board decisions are made with the Company's success in mind, which is ultimately for the long-term benefit of our shareholders.

 

Service Providers

Our service providers' relationships are vital to our overall success, so as a Board we carefully consider the selection of, and engagement and continued relationship with our key service providers being the Investment Manager, Administrator, Custodian, Broker, Legal Advisers, Registrar, Auditor and Company Secretary.

 

The Board recognises the benefits of fostering strong business relationships with its key service providers and seeks to ensure each is committed to the performance of their respective duties to a high standard and, where practicable, that each provider is motivated to adding value within their sphere of activity.

 

The Board has delegated various duties to external parties including the management of the investment portfolio, the custodial services (including the safeguarding of assets), the registration services and the day-to-day company secretarial, administration and accounting services. Each of these contracts was entered into after full and proper consideration by the Board of the quality and cost of services offered, including the control systems in operation in so far as they relate to the affairs of the Company.

 

The Board continues to have regular face-to-face meetings with all key service providers.

 

Stakeholders and Section 172

 

Whilst directly applicable to UK domiciled companies, the intention of the AIC Code is that matters set out in section 172 of the UK Companies Act, 2006 are reported. The following disclosures offer some insight into how the Board uses its meetings as a mechanism for discharging its duties under Provision 5 of the AIC Code, including the breadth of matters it discussed and debated during the year and the key stakeholder groups that were central to those discussions. The Board's commitment to maintaining the high-standards of corporate governance recommended in the AIC Code, combined with the directors' duties enshrined in Company law, the constitutive documents, the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, and Market Abuse Regulation, ensures that shareholders are provided with frequent and comprehensive information concerning the Company and its activities via the Company's website and Regulatory Information Service ("RIS") announcements on the London Stock Exchange such as the quarterly factsheets. 

 

Each Board meeting follows a carefully tailored agenda agreed in advance by the Board and Company Secretary. A typical meeting will comprise reports on current financial and operational performance from the Administrator, market update from the Broker, portfolio performance from the Investment Manager, with regulatory and governance updates from the Company Secretary and where required, a detailed deep dive into an area of particular strategic importance or concern. Through oversight and control, we have in place suitable policies to ensure the Company maintains high standards of business conduct, treats customers fairly, and employ high standards of corporate governance.

 

Whilst the primary duty of the Directors is owed to the Company as a whole, the Board considers as part of its decision making process the interests of all stakeholders. Particular consideration being given to the continued alignment between the activities of the Company and those that contribute to delivering the Board's strategy, which include the Investment Manager, Administrator, and the Company Secretary.

 

The Annual Report, Key Information Documents and quarterly fact sheets are available to provide shareholders with a clear understanding of the Company's activities and its results. This information is supplemented by the daily calculation and publication via a Regulatory Information Service of the net asset value of the Company's Ordinary Shares, Extended Life Shares and New Global Shares. All documents issued by the Company can be viewed on the Company's website at www.nbddif.com .

 

The Board respects and welcomes the views of all stakeholders. Any queries or areas of concern regarding the Company's operations can be raised with the Company Secretary.

 

2021 AGM

 

The 2021 AGM will be held in Guernsey on 24 June 2021. The notice for the AGM will set out the ordinary and special resolutions to be proposed at the meeting. Separate resolutions are proposed for each substantive issue. Shareholders wishing to lodge questions in advance of the meeting and specifically related to the resolutions proposed are invited to do so by writing to the Company Secretary at the address given in the Additional Information section below.

 

Voting on all resolutions at the AGM will be on a poll. The proxy votes cast, including details of votes withheld are disclosed to those in attendance at the meeting and the results are published on the Company's website and announced via a Regulatory Information Service. Where a significant number of votes have been lodged against a proposed resolution (being greater than 20%), in accordance with the AIC Code published in February 2019, it is the Board's policy that the Board will identify those shareholders and further understand their views to address the concerns of the Company's shareholders. There were no significant votes cast against the resolutions proposed at the 2020 AGM.

 

COVID-19 and Stay at Home Measures

The Directors wish to reassure shareholders that the Company has considered the potential for impact on the AGM of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictive measures in place as at the date of posting this Notice. At the time of writing, "stay at home" measures are in place in Guernsey and it is possible that restrictions around travel, both within and to and from the island, and public gatherings may remain in force on the scheduled date of the AGM, which could mean that it is not practicable to physically convene the AGM at the intended time and venue. The Board feels it is important to proceed with the AGM, noting that alternative practical arrangements may be required, such as an adjournment and possibly a change of time and venue. The Directors will continue to consider the latest instructions from relevant authorities in conjunction with guidance available from professional and regulatory bodies to ensure the AGM is held in accordance with its statutory requirements and with the Company's Articles. May we finally take this opportunity to encourage shareholders to use the online proxy appointment facilities, rather than requesting a paper proxy card, as in the current circumstances we cannot guarantee that there will be staff at the office of the Registrar to receive post.

 

Board Meetings

 

The Board meets at least four times a year. Certain matters are considered at all Board meetings including Portfolio composition and asset realisation strategy, capital repayments and income distributions by way of dividend, NAV and share price performance and associated matters such as asset allocation, risks, strategy, marketing and investor relations, peer group information and industry issues. Consideration is also given to administration and corporate governance matters, where applicable reports are received from Board committees.

 

Directors unable to attend a board meeting are provided with the board papers and can discuss issues arising in an informal meeting with the Chairman or another non-executive Director.

 

The Chairman is responsible for ensuring the Directors receive complete information in a timely manner concerning all matters which require consideration by the Board. Through the Board's ongoing shareholder engagement and the reports produced by each key service provider, the Directors are satisfied that sufficient information is provided so as to ensure such matters are taken into consideration as part of the Board's decision-making process.

 

Attendance at scheduled meetings of the Board and its committees in the 2020 financial year

 

 

Board

Audit Committee

MANAGEMENT Engagement Committee

Remuneration Committee

INSIDE INFORMATION COMMITTEE

Number of meetings during the year

5

3

1

1

1

John Hallam

5

n/a

1

1

1

Christopher Legge

5

3

1

1

1

Michael Holmberg

5

n/a

n/a

n/a

0

Stephen Vakil

5

3

1

1

1

 

In addition to these meetings, 8 ad-hoc board and board committee meetings were held during the year for various matters, primarily of an administrative nature including, but not limited to, distributions. These meetings were attended by those Directors available at the time.

 

Board Committees

 

The Board has established an Audit Committee, Management Engagement Committee, Remuneration Committee and an Inside Information Committee with defined terms of reference and duties. Further details of these committees can be found in their respective reports below.

The terms of reference for each committee can be found on the Company's website at www.nbddif.com .

 

The Board feels that due to the size and structure of the Company, establishing a Nomination Committee is unnecessary and that the Board as a whole will consider matters relating to appointment of Directors.

 

For and on behalf of the Board.

 

 

John Hallam                                                             Christopher Legge

Chairman                                                                 Director

14 April 2021     14 April 2021

 

 

GOVERNANCE | Audit Committee Report

 

Audit Committee Report

 

Membership

 

Christopher Legge - Chairman  (Independent non-executive Director)

Stephen Vakil  (Senior Independent non-executive Director)

 

 

Key Objectives

 

The Audit Committee aims to ensure effective governance over the appropriateness of the Company's financial reporting including the adequacy of related disclosures, the performance of the external auditor, and the management of the Company's systems of internal controls and business risks.

 

Responsibilities

 

· reviewing the Company's financial results announcements and Financial Statements and monitoring compliance with relevant statutory and listing requirements;

· reporting to the Board on the appropriateness of the Company's accounting policies and practices including critical accounting policies and practices;

· advising the Board on whether the Audit Committee believes the Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's performance, business model and strategy;

· overseeing the relationship with the external auditor;

· considering the financial and other implications of the independence of the auditors arising from any non-audit services to be provided by the auditor;

· reviewing the effectiveness of the Company's risk management framework, taking into account the reports on the internal controls of the Company's service providers;

· considering the nature and extent of the significant risks the Company faces in achieving its strategic objectives; and

· compiling a report on the Audit Committee's activities to be included in the Company's Annual Report.

 

Audit Committee Meetings

 

The Audit Committee meets at least three times a year with only its members and the Audit Committee Secretary having the right to attend. However, other Directors and representatives of the Investment Manager and Administrator will be invited to attend such meetings on a regular basis and other non-members may be invited to attend all or part of the meeting as and when appropriate and necessary. The Company's independent auditor, KPMG Channel Islands Limited ("KPMG"), is also invited on a regular basis.

 

The Audit Committee determines, in conjunction with KPMG, whether it is necessary for it to meet the auditors without the Investment Manager or other service providers being present.

 

Main Activities during the year

 

The Audit Committee assisted the Board in carrying out its responsibilities in relation to financial reporting requirements, risk management and the assessment of internal controls. It also manages the Company's relationship with the external auditor. Meetings of the Committee generally take place prior to a Company Board meeting. The Audit Committee reports to the Board as part of a separate agenda item on its activities and matters of particular relevance to Board members in the conduct of their work.

 

The Board requested that the Audit Committee advise them on whether it believes the Annual Report, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's performance, business model and strategy and the Audit Committee confirmed this to be the case.

 

The Audit Committee's terms of reference were updated during the year and can be found on the Company's website www.nbddif.com .

 

At its four meetings during the year, the Committee focused on:

 

Financial Reporting

 

The primary role of the Audit Committee in relation to financial reporting is to review with the Investment Manager, Administrator and the external auditor the appropriateness of the Annual Financial Statements concentrating on, amongst other matters:

 

· the quality and acceptability of accounting policies and practices;

· the clarity of the disclosures and compliance with financial reporting standards and relevant financial and governance reporting requirements;

· material areas in which significant judgements have been applied or there has been discussion with the external auditor;

· the viability of the Company, taking into account the principal and emerging risks it faces;

· whether the Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's performance, business model and strategy; and

· any correspondence from regulators in relation to financial reporting.

 

To aid its review, the Audit Committee considered reports from the Investment Manager, Administrator, Sub-Administrator, Company Secretary and also reports from the external auditor on the outcomes of their half-year review and annual audit.

 

The members of the Audit Committee had meetings with KPMG, where their findings in respect of both the Interim Review and the Annual Audit were reported.

 

Significant Issues

 

In relation to the Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020, the significant issue considered by the Audit Committee was the valuation of the Company's investments.

 

The Committee received a report from the Investment Manager on the valuation of the Portfolios and on the assumptions used in valuing the Portfolios. It analysed the investment Portfolios of the Company in terms of investment mix, fair value hierarchy and valuation and held detailed discussions with the Investment Manager regarding the methodology and procedures used in valuing the Portfolios.

 

The Committee discussed in depth with KPMG their approach to testing the appropriateness and robustness of the valuation methodology applied by the Investment Manager to the Company's Portfolios. KPMG did not report any significant differences between the valuations used by the Company and the results of the work performed during their testing process. Based on their above review and analysis the Audit Committee confirmed that it is satisfied with the valuation of the investments.

 

Internal Controls and Risk Management

 

The Audit Committee has established a process for identifying, evaluating and managing any major risks faced by the Company. The process is subject to regular review by the Board and accords with the AIC Code.

 

The Audit Committee has overall responsibility for the Company's system of internal financial and operating controls and for reviewing its effectiveness. However, such a system is designed to manage rather than eliminate risks of failure to achieve the Company's business objectives and can only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.

 

The Board has undertaken a full review of the Company's business risks, which have been analysed and recorded in a risk matrix, which is updated regularly and is formally reviewed at each quarterly Board meeting. The Board receives, each quarter, a formal report from the Investment Manager which details the steps taken to monitor and manage the areas of risk including those that are not directly the responsibility of the Investment Manager and which reports the details of any known internal control failures. 

 

The Company itself does not have an internal audit function, but instead relies on the internal audit functions and departments of the Investment Manager. The Committee was satisfied that this function provided significant control to help mitigate the risks to the Company.

 

In addition, the Audit Committee annually receives and reviews Internal Controls reports from independent sources, in respect of the Administrator, Sub-Administrator, Registrar, Custodian and Investment Manager. 

 

The Investment Manager has established an internal control framework to provide reasonable but not absolute assurance on the effectiveness of the internal controls operated on behalf of its clients. The effectiveness of the internal controls is assessed by the Investment Manager's compliance and risk department on an ongoing basis.

 

The Board's assessment of the Company's principal risks is set out in the Strategic Report above.

 

By means of the procedures set out above, the Audit Committee confirms that it has reviewed the effectiveness of the Company's system of internal controls for the year ended 31 December 2020 and to the date of approval of this Annual Report and that no concerns have been noted.

 

External Audit

 

The effectiveness of the external audit process is dependent on appropriate audit risk identification at the start of the audit cycle. The Audit Committee received a detailed audit plan from KPMG, identifying their assessment of these significant risks. For the 2020 financial year the significant risk identified was in relation to the valuation of investments. This risk is tracked through the year and the Committee has considered the work done by the auditor to challenge management's assumptions and estimates around these areas. The Committee has assessed the effectiveness of the audit process in addressing these matters through the reports received from KPMG at both the half-year and year end. In addition, the Committee has sought feedback from the Investment Manager , the Administrator and Sub-administrator on the effectiveness of the audit process. For the 2020 financial year the Committee is satisfied that there had been appropriate focus and challenge on the primary areas of audit risk and assessed the quality of the audit process to be appropriate.

 

The Audit Committee considers the re-appointment of the external auditor, including the rotation of the audit partner, and assesses their independence on an annual basis. The external auditor is required to rotate the audit partner responsible for the Company audit every five years. The Company's current audit partner, Barry Ryan, took over the role as lead audit engagement partner in 2019.

 

KPMG has been the Company's external auditor since its stock exchange listing in 2010 (10 years). The Company has not formally tendered the audit since then. The Audit Committee would normally consider putting the Company's audit out to tender at least every ten years (with the maximum duration of a continuous audit engagement being twenty years) and has given consideration to doing so this coming year. However it concluded that, given the current expectation of the wind down of the Company share classes, it was not in the best interests of the Company to do so.

 

In its assessment of the independence of the auditor, the Audit Committee receives details of any relationships between the Company and KPMG that may have a bearing on their independence and receives confirmation from them that they are independent of the Company.

 

The Audit Committee approved the fees for audit services for 2020 after a review of the level and nature of work to be performed. The Board was satisfied that the fees were appropriate for the scope of the work required.

 

Non-Audit Services

 

To safeguard the objectivity and independence of the external auditor from becoming compromised, the Audit Committee has a policy governing the engagement of the external auditor to provide non-audit services. The Committee made amendments to this policy in April 2017 in order to voluntarily adopt certain provisions of the FRC's Revised Ethical Standard 2016 relating to non-audit services as it applies to E.U. public interest entities. In 2020, in light of the life cycle of the Company, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the policy in respect to non-audit services be updated to remove the provision of a cap on non-audit services of 70% of the average of the audit fees in the last three years and the Board approved the updated policy. The Audit Committee must be advised by the commissioning entity/person, and by the audit firm, of all assignments undertaken by the external auditors that fall within the pre-approved categories as soon as practicable.

 

All non-audit services require prior approval by the Audit Committee. In respect of each calendar year the Audit Committee monitors the provision of non-audit services by receiving at least half yearly a list of the non-audit services provided (and expected to be provided) by the external auditor in that calendar year, and the fees involved, so that the Audit Committee can consider the impact on auditors' objectivity. The Audit Committee's policy on the Independence of External Auditor (including the provision of non-audit services) is available on its website at www.nbddif.com .

 

Auditor's Remuneration 

 

31 December 2020

 

(£)

Audit

170,000

Taxation 1 compliance & consulting services

67,000

Audit related services (review of interim report)

33,000

Total   

270,000

 

1 with effect from 1 January 2021, taxation compliance and consulting services will be provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.

 

Appointment and Independence

 

The Committee noted that for the year ended 31 December 2020 non-audit fees did not exceed audit fees.

 

In light of the growing focus on non-audit fees the Committee has enhanced its scrutiny to ensure that it is comfortable, on an ongoing basis that the nature of the non-audit work commissioned does not impinge on audit independence. The Committee did not consider that tax compliance and tax consultancy services undertaken in 2020 presented a conflict as the services provided were all assessed as permissible prior to the commencement of the work and did not impact the audit work performed by the audit team.

 

The Investment Manager has responsibility for preparing and approving all tax calculations and tax returns. The output is not relied upon by the audit team and the performance of these services is led by a tax partner who is independent of the audit team. Those tax services are subject to separate terms of engagement to that of the audit engagement.

 

The Audit Committee has therefore recommended to the Board that KPMG be reappointed as external auditor for the year ended 31 December 2020, and to authorise the Directors to determine their remuneration. Accordingly, a resolution proposing the reappointment of KPMG as the Company's auditor will be put to the shareholders at the 2021 AGM on 24 June 2021.

 

There are no contractual obligations restricting the Committee's choice of external auditor and the Company does not indemnify the external auditor.

 

The Committee's activities formed part of the Board evaluation performed in the year. Details of this process can be found under "Performance evaluation" above. The Committee was satisfied that it had undertaken its duties efficiently and effectively.

 

 

Christopher Legge

On behalf of the Audit Committee

14 April 2021

 

 

GOVERNANCE | Management Engagement Committee Report

Management Engagement Committee Report

 

Membership

 

Stephen Vakil - Chairman  (Senior Independent non-executive Director)

John Hallam                                                            (Chairman of the Company and Independent non-executive Director)

Christopher Legge                                                        (Independent non-executive Director)

 

Key Objectives

 

To review performance of all service providers (including the Investment Manager).

 

Responsibilities

 

· To review annually the performance, relationships and contractual terms of all service providers (including the Investment Manager);

· Review and make recommendations on any proposed amendment to the Investment Manager Agreement ("IMA");

· To review the performance of, and contractual arrangements with the Investment Manager including:

Monitor and evaluate the Investment Manager's performance and, if necessary, provide appropriate guidance;

To consider whether an independent appraisal of the Investment Manager's services should be made;

To review the level and method of remuneration and notice period, using peer group comparisons (where available); and

To ensure that the Investment Manager has a sound system of risk management and internal controls and that these are maintained to safeguard shareholders' investment and the Company's assets.

 

Committee Meetings

 

Only members of the Management Engagement Committee and the Secretary have the right to attend Committee meetings. However, representatives of the Investment Manager and Administrator may be invited by the Committee to attend meetings as and when appropriate.

 

Main Activities during the year

 

The Management Engagement Committee met once during the year and reviewed performance, standard and value for money of the Company's service providers and the Investment Manager. The Management Engagement Committee reviewed the contractual terms, disaster recovery and business continuity arrangements, information security arrangements, details of anti-bribery and corruption policies, anti-facilitation of tax evasion policies, and the level of professional indemnity insurance of all service providers as at 24 November 2020, including the Investment Manager. On 13 September 2020, Jefferies International Limited was appointed as corporate broker.

 

The Management Engagement Committee reviewed the Terms of Reference for the Committee and considered that they remained appropriate.

 

Continued Appointment of the Investment Manager and Other Service Providers

 

The Board reviews investment performance at each Board meeting and the performance of the Company's service providers are reviewed annually as part of the Management Engagement Committee's annual review.

 

Taking into consideration supplementary guidance issued by the AIC in 2020 which described certain measures by which investment companies may assess the relationship with the manager, in November 2020 the Board undertook an enhanced qualitative assessment of the performance of the Investment Manager. The feedback from this assessment confirmed that the Investment Manager's focus remained on the performance of their core duties, and that there existed a high level of congruence between the duties of the Investment Manager and the objectives of the Company. The Board does not consider it necessary to obtain an independent appraisal of the Investment Manager's services.

 

Continued Appointment of the Investment Manager and Other Service Providers (continued)

 

As a result of the 2020 annual review it is the opinion of the Directors that the continued appointment of the current service providers, including the Investment Manager, on the terms agreed is in the best interests of the Company's shareholders as a whole. The Investment Manager has extensive investment management resources and wide experience in managing investment companies.

 

 

Stephen Vakil

On behalf of the Management Engagement Committee

14 April 2021

 

 

GOVERNANCE | Inside Information Committee Report

Inside Information Committee Report

 

Membership

 

John Hallam  (Chairman of the Company and Independent non-executive Director)

Michael Holmberg  (non-executive Director)

Christopher Legge                                 (Independent non-executive Director)

Stephen Vakil  (Senior Independent non-executive Director)

 

Key Objectives

 

To identify inside information and monitor the disclosure and control of inside information.

 

Responsibilities

 

· Identify inside information as it arises;

· Review and prepare project insider lists as required; and

· Consider the need to announce or to delay the announcement of inside information.

 

Committee Meetings

 

Only members of the Inside Information Committee and the Secretary have the right to attend Inside Information Committee meetings. However, representatives of the Investment Manager and Administrator may be invited by the Inside Information Committee to attend meetings as and when appropriate.

 

Main Activities During the year

 

The Inside Information Committee met once in the year on 25 February 2020 and the Inside Information Committee reviewed its Terms of Reference, the Company's policies and procedures for inside information and personal dealing. There was no update made on the Inside Information Committee's terms of reference in 2020 and it was agreed that the policies and procedures remained relevant and accurate.

 

There were no delays to the disclosure of information during the year.

 

 

John Hallam

On behalf of the Inside Information Committee

14 April 2021

  

 

GOVERNANCE | Remuneration Committee Report

Remuneration Committee Report

 

Membership

 

Stephen Vakil - Chairman              (Senior Independent non-executive Director)

John Hallam  (Chairman of the Company and Independent non-executive Director)

Christopher Legge  (Independent non-executive Director)

 

Key Objectives

 

To review the ongoing appropriateness and relevance of the Company's remuneration policy.

 

Responsibilities

 

· Determine the remuneration of the Directors;

· Prepare an Annual Report on Directors' remuneration;

· Consider the need to appoint external remuneration consultants; and

· Oversee the performance evaluation of the Board; its committees and individual directors.

 

Committee Meetings

 

Only members of the Remuneration Committee and the Secretary have the right to attend Remuneration Committee meetings. However, representatives of the Investment Manager and Administrator may be invited by the Remuneration Committee to attend meetings as and when appropriate.

 

Main Activities During the year

 

The Remuneration Committee met once during the year and reviewed the Director's remuneration. The Remuneration Committee's terms of reference were updated during the year and can be found on the Company's website www.nbddif.com .

 

The Remuneration Committee considered the Directors' Remuneration and agreed that the current policy remained appropriate.

 

A detailed Directors' Remuneration report to shareholders from the Remuneration Committee is contained below.

 

 

Stephen Vakil

On behalf of the Remuneration Committee

14 April 2021

 

 

GOVERNANCE | Directors' Remuneration Report

Directors' Remuneration Report

 

Annual Statement

 

The following report describes how the Board has applied the principles relating to Directors' remuneration. An ordinary resolution to ratify this report will be proposed at the AGM to be held on 24 June 2021. 

 

Directors' Fees

 

The Company paid the following fees to the Directors for the year ended 31 December 2020:

 

 

 

Role

TOTAL Board Fees ($)

TOTAL Board Fees (£)

John Hallam

Chairman 

60,000

10,000

Michael Holmberg1

non-executive Director

-

-

Christopher Legge

non-executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee

50,000

10,000

Stephen Vakil

 

non-executive Director, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and Chairman of Management Engagement Committee

45,000

10,000

Total

 

155,000

30,000

 

The Company paid the following fees to the Directors for the year ended 31 December 2019:

 

 

 

Role

TOTAL Board Fees ($)

TOTAL Board Fees (£)

John Hallam

Chairman 

60,000

10,000

Michael Holmberg1

non-executive Director

-

-

Christopher Legge

non-executive Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee

50,000

10,000

Christopher Sherwell2

non-executive Director

45,000

10,000

Stephen Vakil

 

non-executive Director, Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and Chairman of Management Engagement Committee

45,000

10,000

Total

 

200,000

40,000

 

1 Michael Holmberg has waived his right to Director fees.

2 Christopher Sherwell stepped down as a Director on 31 December 2019.

 

No other remuneration was paid or payable by the Company during the year to any of the Directors, other than travel expenses of $1,056 (2019: $1,318).

 

Remuneration Policy

 

The determination of the Directors' fees is a matter dealt with by the Board. The Board considers the remuneration policy annually to ensure that it remains appropriately positioned. The Board reviewed the fees paid to the boards of similar investment companies. No Director is involved in decisions relating to his or her own remuneration.

 

No Director has a service contract with the Company and Director's appointments may be terminated at any time with no compensation payable at termination.

 

The Company's policy is for the Directors to be remunerated in the form of fees, payable quarterly in arrears. No Director has any entitlement to a pension and the Company has not awarded any share options or long-term performance incentives to any of the Directors. No element of the Directors' remuneration is performance related.

 

Directors are authorised to claim reasonable expenses from the Company in relation to the performance of their duties. The Company's policy is that the fees payable to the Directors should reflect the time spent by the Board on the Company's affairs and the responsibilities borne by the Directors and should be sufficient to enable high calibre candidates to be recruited. The policy is for the Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee to be paid a higher fee than the other Directors in recognition of their more onerous roles and additional time spent performing their duties. The Board may amend the level of remuneration paid within the limits of the Company's Articles. In 2017, the Board recognised that its remuneration policy needed to be reviewed to reflect the changing status of the Company as the existing Portfolios are realised as follows:

 

 

 

Company Fee (USD)

 

NBDD Fee (USD)

 

NBDX Fee (USD)

 

NBDG Fee (GBP)

 

Total

(USD)

 

Total

(GBP)

Chairman

40,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

60,000

10,000

Audit Committee Chairman

30,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

50,000

10,000

Other Directors

25,000

10,000

10,000

10,000

45,000

10,000

 

Directors' Fees Policy

 

Objective

 

Operation

Maximum Potential Value

Performance Metrics Used

To recognise time spent and the responsibilities borne and to attract high calibre candidates who have the necessary experience and skills.

Directors' fees are set by the Board.

 

Annual fees are paid quarterly in arrears.

 

Fees are reviewed annually and against those for Directors in companies of similar scale and complexity.

 

Fees were last reviewed in November 2020. 

 

Directors do not receive benefits and do not participate in any incentive or pension plans.

Current fee levels are shown in the remuneration report.

 

 

Directors are not remunerated based on performance and are not eligible to participate in any performance related arrangements.

 

Service Contracts and Policy on Payment of Loss of Office

 

The Directors' appointments are not subject to any duration or limitation. Any Director may resign in writing at any time. Directors' appointments are reviewed during the annual Board evaluation. No Director has a service contract with the Company. Directors have agreed letters of appointment with the Company. 

 

As detailed in the Corporate Governance Report above, all of the independent non-executive Directors are re-elected at the first AGM after their appointment and are then subject to annual re-election. The names and biographies of the Directors holding offices at the date of this report are listed in the Directors' Report above. 

 

Dates of Directors' Letters of Appointment

 

Copies of the Directors' letters of appointment are available for inspection by shareholders at the Company's Registered Office and will be available at the AGM. The dates of their letter of appointments are shown below.

 

 

Date of Letter of Appointment

John Hallam

20 April 2010 (amended on 8 May 2018)

Michael Holmberg

21 April 2010 (amended on 22 August 2018)

Stephen Vakil

5 February 2016 (amended on 8 May 2018)

Christopher Legge

17 April 2018

 

Directors' Interests

 

The Company has not set any requirements or guidelines for Directors to own shares in the Company. The beneficial interests of the Directors and their connected persons in the Company's shares at 8 March 2021 are shown in the table below:

 

 

Director

No. of Ordinary Shares

No. of Extended Life Shares

No. of New Global Shares

Total No. of

Shares

John Hallam

-

73,753

49,450

123,203

Michael Holmberg

-

32,563

51,698

84,261

Christopher Legge

-

-

-

-

Stephen Vakil

-

-

26,974

26,974

 

Advisors to the Remuneration Committee

 

The Remuneration Committee has not sought the paid advice or professional services by any outside person in respect of its consideration of the Directors' remuneration. The Remuneration Committee sought input from Neuberger Berman Europe Limited ("NBEL") and the Brokers during its deliberations of the remuneration policy.

 

 

Stephen Vakil 

On behalf of the Remuneration Committee

14 April 2021  

 

 

GOVERNANCE | Directors' Responsibilities Statement

Statement of Directors' responsibilities in respect of the Annual Report and the Financial Statements

The directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations. 

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year.  Under that law they are required to prepare the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and applicable law.

Under company law the directors must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and of its profit or loss for that period.  In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

 

· select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently; 

· make judgements and estimates that are reasonable, relevant and reliable; 

· state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and 

· assess the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; and 

· use the going concern basis of accounting unless liquidation is imminent.

The directors confirm that they have complied with the above requirements in preparing the financial statements.

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and enable them to ensure that its financial statements comply with the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008.  They are responsible for such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and have general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Company and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. 

The directors of the Company have elected to prepare consolidated financial statements for the Company for the year ended 31 December 2020 as the parent of the Group in accordance with Section 244(5) of the Law.

The directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financial information included on the company's website.  Legislation in Guernsey governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions. 

The directors who hold office at the date of approval of this Director's Report confirm that so far as they are aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditor is unaware, and that each Director has taken all the steps they ought to have taken as a director to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditor is aware of that information.

 

Responsibility statement of the directors in respect of the Annual Report  

We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

 

· the financial statements, prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards, give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company; and 

· the Annual Report includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the issuer, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that they face. 

We consider the Annual Report and accounts, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable and provides the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's position and performance, business model and strategy.

  

 

John Hallam                                                           Christopher Legge

Chairman  Director

14 April 2021                                                                                             14 April 2021

 

 

GOVERNANCE | Independent Auditor's Report 

Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited  

 

Our opinion is unmodified

 

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited (the "Company") and its subsidiaries (together, the "Group"), which comprise the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities including the consolidated condensed schedule of investments as at 31 December 2020, the consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets and cash flows for the year then ended, and notes, comprising significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements:

· give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2020, and of the Group's financial performance and cash flows for the year then ended;

· are prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; and

· comply with the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008.

Basis for opinion

 

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) ("ISAs (UK)") and applicable law. Our responsibilities are described below. We have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities under, and are independent of the Company and Group in accordance with, UK ethical requirements including FRC Ethical Standards, as applied to listed entities. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is a sufficient and appropriate basis for our opinion.

Key audit matters: our assessment of the risks of material misstatement

 

Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in the audit of the consolidated financial statements and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) identified by us, including those which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the consolidated financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.  In arriving at our audit opinion above, the key audit matter was as follows (unchanged from 2019):

                                                                  The risk:                                                          Our response     

Valuation of Investments at fair value ("Investments")

$96,283,120; (2019: $192,864,208)

Refer to the Audit Committee Report above, the Consolidated Schedule of Investments below, Note 2 Summary of Accounting policies and note 2(f) Fair Value of Financial Instruments

 

Basis:

The Group's investment portfolio is carried at fair value in conformity with US generally accepted accounting principles. It represents a significant proportion (89% (2019: 97%)), and is the principal driver, of the Group's net asset value.

The Group's holdings in unquoted equity and debt investments and quoted equity and debt investments, representing 36% of the fair value of investments, are valued at their bid price using broker quotes (including use of single broker quotes) or third party pricing service providers (the "Price Quotes").

Where no Price Quotes are available or they may not be representative of fair value, the Group will utilise the resources of the Investment Manager to augment its own fair value analysis

Our audit procedures included:

Control evaluation:

We assessed the design and implementation of the control in place over the valuation of Investments.

Challenging managements' assumptions and inputs including use of KPMG valuation specialists:

For investments where market quotes were available, we obtained prices from third party data sources and pricing vendors. We assessed their reliability through checking the frequency of the pricing, the number of independent quotes available and the range of the quoted prices, in order to derive an independent reference price.

 

 

to determine the most appropriate fair value for such investments (the "Internally Generated Valuations"). 64% of the fair value of Investments were valued using Internally Generated Valuations.

Risk :

The valuation of the Group's investments is considered a significant area of our audit, given that it represents the majority of the net assets of the Group.

The valuation risk for both the Internally Generated Valuations and single broker quoted investment valuations incorporate both a risk of fraud and error given the significance of estimates and judgments that may be involved in the determination of fair value.

For a selection of the Internally Generated Valuations and single broker quoted investments, chosen on the basis of their fair value, we performed, as applicable, the following procedures with the support of our KPMG valuation specialists:

· We assessed the appropriateness of the valuation approach and methodology applied to each investment and where relevant, derived an independent reference price;

· We compared the assumptions used in the valuation to observable market data or supporting documentation;

· We corroborated significant inputs used to supporting documentation; and

· We assessed the effect of the investee entity's financial performance upon the fair value.

Assessing disclosures:

We also considered the Group's disclosures (Note 2(b)) in relation to the use of estimates, the Group's valuation of investments policies (Note 2(f)) and fair value of financial instruments (Note 2(f)) for compliance with US generally accepted accounting principles.

 

 Our application of materiality and an overview of the scope of our audit

 

Materiality for the consolidated financial statements as a whole was set at $2,160,000, determined with reference to a benchmark of Group net assets of $108,429,859 of which it represents approximately 2.0% (2019: 2.0%).

In line with our audit methodology, our procedures on individual account balances and disclosures were performed to a lower threshold, performance materiality, so as to reduce to an acceptable level the risk that individually immaterial misstatements in individual account balances add up to a material amount across the consolidated financial statements as a whole. Performance materiality for the Group was set at 75% (2019: 75%) of materiality for the consolidated financial statements as a whole, which equates to $1,620,000. We applied this percentage in our determination of performance materiality because we did not identify any factors indicating an elevated level of risk.

We reported to the Audit Committee any corrected or uncorrected identified misstatements exceeding $108,000, in addition to other identified misstatements that warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. 

Our audit of the Group was undertaken to the materiality level specified above, which has informed our identification of significant risks of material misstatement and the associated audit procedures performed in those areas as detailed above. 

The group team performed the audit of the Group as if it was a single aggregated set of financial information. The audit was performed using the materiality level set out above and covered 100% of total Group net decrease in net assets resulting from operations and total Group assets and liabilities.

Going concern

 

The directors have prepared the consolidated financial statements on the going concern basis as they do not intend to liquidate the Group or the Company or to cease their operations, and as they have concluded that the Group and the Company's financial position means that this is realistic. They have also concluded that there are no material uncertainties that could have cast significant doubt over their ability to continue as a going concern for at least a year from the date of approval of the consolidated financial statements (the "going concern period").

In our evaluation of the directors' conclusions, we considered the inherent risks to the Group and the Company's business model and analysed how those risks might affect the Group and the Company's financial resources or ability to continue operations over the going concern period. The risk that we considered most likely to affect the Group and the Company's financial resources or ability to continue operations over this period was availability of capital to meet operating costs and other financial commitments.

We considered whether this risk could plausibly affect the liquidity in the going concern period by comparing severe, but plausible downside scenarios that could arise from this risk against the level of available financial resources indicated by the Company's financial forecasts.

We considered whether the going concern disclosure in note 2(a) to the financial statements gives a full and accurate description of the directors' assessment of going concern.

Our conclusions based on this work:

· we consider that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements is appropriate;

· we have not identified, and concur with the directors' assessment that there is not, a material uncertainty related to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the the Group and the Company's ability to continue as a going concern for the going concern period; and

· we found the going concern disclosure in the notes to the consolidated financial statements to be acceptable.

However, as we cannot predict all future events or conditions and as subsequent events may result in outcomes that are inconsistent with judgements that were reasonable at the time they were made, the above conclusions are not a guarantee that the Group and the Company will continue in operation.

Fraud and breaches of laws and regulations - ability to detect

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to fraud

 

To identify risks of material misstatement due to fraud ("fraud risks") we assessed events or conditions that could indicate an incentive or pressure to commit fraud or provide an opportunity to commit fraud. Our risk assessment procedures included:

· enquiring of management as to the Group's policies and procedures to prevent and detect fraud as well as enquiring whether management have knowledge of any actual, suspected or alleged fraud;

· reading minutes of meetings of those charged with governance; and

· using analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships.

 

As required by auditing standards, and taking into account possible incentives or pressures to misstate performance and our overall knowledge of the control environment, we perform procedures to address the risk of management override of controls, in particular the risk that management may be in a position to make inappropriate accounting entries, and the risk of bias in accounting estimates such as valuation of single broker quoted investments and Internally Generated Valuations.

On this audit we do not believe there is a fraud risk related to revenue recognition because the Group's revenue streams are simple in nature with respect to accounting policy choice, and are easily verifiable to external data sources or agreements with little or no requirement for estimation from management. We did not identify any additional fraud risks.

We performed procedures including:

· identifying journal entries and other adjustments to test based on risk criteria and comparing the identified entries to supporting documentation;

· incorporating an element of unpredictability in our audit procedures; and

· assessing significant accounting estimates for bias

Further detail in respect of valuation of single broker quoted investments and Internally Generated Valuations is set out in the key audit matter section of in this report.

Identifying and responding to risks of material misstatement due to non-compliance with laws and regulations

 

We identified areas of laws and regulations that could reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements from our general commercial and sector experience and through discussion with management (as required by auditing standards), and from inspection of the Group's regulatory and legal correspondence, and discussed with management the policies and procedures regarding compliance with laws and regulations. As the Group is regulated, our assessment of risks involved gaining an understanding of the control environment including the entity's procedures for complying with regulatory requirements.

The Group is subject to laws and regulations that directly affect the consolidated financial statements including financial reporting legislation and taxation legislation and we assessed the extent of compliance with these laws and regulations as part of our procedures on the related financial statement items.

The Group is subject to other laws and regulations where the consequences of non-compliance could have a material effect on amounts or disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, for instance through the imposition of fines or litigation or impacts on the Group and the Company's ability to operate. We identified financial services regulation as being the area most likely to have such an effect, recognising the regulated nature of the Group's activities and its legal form. Auditing standards limit the required audit procedures to identify non-compliance with these laws and regulations to enquiry of management and inspection of regulatory and legal correspondence, if any. Therefore if a breach of operational regulations is not disclosed to us or evident from relevant correspondence, an audit will not detect that breach.

Context of the ability of the audit to detect fraud or breaches of law or regulation

 

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that we may not have detected some material misstatements in the consolidated financial statements, even though we have properly planned and performed our audit in accordance with auditing standards. For example, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from the events and transactions reflected in the consolidated financial statements, the less likely the inherently limited procedures required by auditing standards would identify it. 

In addition, as with any audit, there remains a higher risk of non-detection of fraud, as this may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal controls. Our audit procedures are designed to detect material misstatement. We are not responsible for preventing non-compliance or fraud and cannot be expected to detect non-compliance with all laws and regulations.

Other information

 

The directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the annual report but does not include the consolidated financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. Our opinion on the consolidated financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express an audit opinion or any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the consolidated financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

We have nothing to report on other matters on which we are required to report by exception

 

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

· the Company has not kept proper accounting records; or

· the consolidated financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records; or

· we have not received all the information and explanations, which to the best of our knowledge and belief are necessary for the purpose of our audit.

 

Respective responsibilities

 

Directors' responsibilities

 

As explained more fully in their statement set out above, the directors are responsible for: the preparation of the consolidated financial statements including being satisfied that they give a true and fair view; such internal control as they determine is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error; assessing the Group and Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern; and using the going concern basis of accounting unless liquidation is imminent.

Auditor's responsibilities

 

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue our opinion in an auditor's report. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but does not guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of the consolidated financial statements. 


A fuller description of our responsibilities is provided on the FRC's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities .

The purpose of this report and restrictions on its use by persons other than the Company's members as a body

This report is made solely to the Company's members, as a body, in accordance with section 262 of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008.  Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

 

Barry Ryan

For and on behalf of KPMG Channel Islands Limited

Chartered Accountants and Recognised Auditors

Guernsey

14 April 2021

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS EXCEPT WHERE STATED OTHERWISE)

31 December 2020

 

31 December 2019

Assets

 

 

 

Investments at fair value (2020: cost of $130,252,550; 2019: cost of $248,770,370)

96,283,120

 

192,864,208

Forward currency contracts

653,125

 

-

Warrants (2020: cost of $Nil; 2019: cost of $752,955)

-

 

153

Cash and cash equivalents

2,035,320

 

5,379,726

Restricted Cash:

 

 

 

  Forward currency contracts Collateral

630,000

 

430,000

  Total return swap Collateral

10,970,000

 

-

 

110,571,565

 

198,674,087

Other assets

 

 

 

Interest receivables

258,913

 

707,187

Receivables for investments sold

783,764

 

895,182

Other receivables and prepayments

33,872

 

643,658

Withholding tax receivable

  421,788

 

-

Total assets

112,069,902

 

200,920,114

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Credit default swap (2020: cost of $67,076; 2019: cost of $99,945)

54,306

 

77,983

Total return swap (2020: cost of $Nil)

1,222,546

 

-

Forward currency contracts

1,979,765

 

890,781

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

249,238

 

406,717

Payables to Investment Manager and affiliates

134,188

 

493,060

Total liabilities

3,640,043

 

1,868,541

 

 

 

 

Net assets

108,429,859

 

199,051,573

 

 

 

 

Net assets attributable to Ordinary Shares (shares 2020: 15,382,770;

 2019: 15,382,770)

12,952,965

 

13,976,415

Net asset value per Ordinary Share

0.8420

 

0.9086

 

 

 

 

Net assets attributable to Extended Life Shares (shares 2020: 80,545,074;

2019: 114,146,794)

63,540,650

 

105,771,674

Net asset value per Extended Life Share

0.7889

 

0.9266

 

 

 

 

Net assets attributable to New Global Shares (shares 2020: 41,116,617;

2019: 71,787,915)

£23,363,139

 

£ 59,862,782

Net asset value per New Global Share

£0.5682

 

£0.8339

 

 

 

 

Net assets attributable to New Global Shares (USD equivalent)

  31,936,244

 

79,303,484

Net asset value per New Global Share (USD equivalent)

  0.7767

 

1.1047

 

 

The Financial Statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 14 April 2021, and signed on its behalf by:

 

  

John Hallam  Christopher Legge

Chairman  Director

 

 

The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

  

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

Consolidated Statement of Operations

 

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

 

31 December 2020

 

 

31 December 2019

Income

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

4,826,798

 

 

7,775,446

Dividend income net of withholding tax (2020:3,372; 2019: 278,886)

 

271,866

 

 

662,028

Other income

 

-

 

 

85,026

 

 

5,098,664

 

 

8,522,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Investment management fee

 

1,952,064

 

 

3,428,612

Professional and other expenses

 

1,336,429

 

 

1,117,163

Administration fee

 

123,097

 

 

211,457

Loan administration and custody fees

 

55,840

 

 

183,623

Directors' fees and expenses

 

194,960

 

 

253,482

 

 

3,662,390

 

 

5,194,337

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income

 

1,436,274

 

 

3,328,163

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realised and unrealised gain/(loss) from investments and foreign exchange

 

 

 

 

 

Net realised loss on investments, credit default swap, warrants, total return swap and forward currency transactions

 

(64,163,138)

 

 

(29,423,579)

Net change in unrealised gain on investments, credit default swap, warrants. total return swap and forward currency transactions

 

21,059,253

 

 

15,533,893

Income taxes from net realised/unrealised (loss)/gain on investments

 

(7,172)

 

 

220,197

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realised and unrealised loss from investments and foreign exchange

 

(43,111,057)

 

 

(13,669,489)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

 

(41,674,783)

 

 

(10,341,326)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS |  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

 

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

31 December 2020

Ordinary Shares

31 December 2020

Extended Life Shares

31 December 2020

New Global Shares

31 December 2020 Aggregated

Net assets at the beginning of the year

13,976,415

105,771,674

79,303,484

199,051,573

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment (loss)/income

(299,794)

1,141,393

594,675

1,436,274

Net realised loss on investments, credit default swap, warrants and forward currency transactions

(6,838,452)

(33,800,902)

(23,523,784)

(64,163,138)

Net change in unrealised gain/(loss) on investments, credit default swap, warrants and forward currency transactions

6,114,839

15,257,674

(313,260)

21,059,253

Income taxes from net realised/unrealised loss on investments

(43)

(1,913)

(5,216)

(7,172)

Dividends

Nil

Nil

Nil

Nil

Net cost of share buybacks

-

(1,857,098)

(2,017,495)

(3,874,593)

Distributions during the year

-

(22,970,178)

(22,102,160)

(45,072,338)

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at the end of the year

12,952,965

63,540,650

31,936,244

108,429,859

 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

 

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

31 December 2019

Ordinary Shares

31 December 2019

Extended Life Shares

31 December 2019

New Global Shares

31 December 2019 Aggregated

Net assets at the beginning of the year

22,876,360

148,482,314

97,042,815

268,401,489

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment (loss)/income

(110,368)

2,458,755

979,776

3,328,163

Net realised loss on investments, credit default swap, warrants and forward currency transactions

(1,557,957)

(15,765,042)

(12,100,580)

(29,423,579)

Net change in unrealised gain on investments, credit default swap, warrants and forward currency transactions

650,401

8,847,176

6,036,316

15,533,893

Income taxes from net realised/unrealised gain/(loss) on investments

109,954

241,943

(131,700)

220,197

Dividends

-

(991,400)

-

(991,400)

Net cost of share buybacks

-

(2,026,218)

(926,631)

(2,952,849)

Distributions during the year

(7,991,975)

(35,475,854)

(11,596,512)

(55,064,341)

 

 

 

 

 

Net assets at the end of the year

13,976,415

105,771,674

79,303,484

199,051,573

 

 

The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020 AND 31 DECEMBER 2019

 

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

 

 

31 December 2020

 

31 December 2019

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations

 

(41,674,783)

 

(10,341,326)

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustment to reconcile net decrease in net assets resulting from operations to net cash flow provided by operations:

 

 

 

 

Net realised loss on investments, credit default swap, warrants, total return swap and forward currency transactions

 

64,163,138

 

29,423,579

Net change in unrealised gain on investments, credit default swap, warrants, total return swap and forward currency transactions

 

(21,059,253)

 

(15,533,893)

Accretion of discount on loans and bonds

 

(97,467)

 

(275,938)

Changes in interest receivable

 

448,274

 

(439,476)

Changes in receivables for investments sold

 

111,418

 

(114,470)

Changes in other receivables and prepayments

 

609,786

 

(266,162)

Change in withholding tax receivable

 

(421,788)

 

2,913,342

Change in deferred taxes

 

-

 

(355,057)

Changes in payables, accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

(516,351)

 

282,269

Cash received on settled forward currency contracts and spot currency contracts

 

2,173,678

 

2,665,608

Capitalised payment in kind

 

(3,940,500)

 

(2,466,500)

Purchase of investments

 

(1,707,076)

 

(10,986,950)

Sale of investments

 

65,059,170

 

66,784,769

Purchase of short term investments 1

 

(46,129,874)

 

(4,034,406)

Sale of short term investments 1

 

39,950,463

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

56,968,835

 

57,255,389

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Cost of share buybacks

 

(3,874,593)

 

(2,952,849)

Shares redeemed during the year

 

(45,072,338)

 

(55,064,341)

Dividends paid

 

-

 

(991,400)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(48,946,931)

 

(59,008,590)

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

8,021,904

 

(1,753,201)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year

 

5,379,726

 

7,596,274

Restricted cash at the beginning of the year

 

430,000

 

-

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

(196,310)

 

(33,347)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year

 

2,035,320

 

5,379,726

Restricted cash at the end of the year

 

11,600,000

 

430,000

 

Supplemental cash flow information

 

 

 

$3,705,792 is related to non-cash transactions due to the Exide restructure. This figure is excluded from purchase of investments and sale of investments above.

 

 

1 Short term investments are typically sold or converted to cash within 3 to 12 months

 

 

The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments

Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments (by financial instrument)

 

 

AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

Cost

Fair Value

 

Ordinary

Shares

(%)1

 

 

Extended Life

Shares

(%)1

 

 

 

New Global Shares

(%)1

 

 

 

Total Company

(%)1

Portfolio of Distressed Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank Debt Investments

68,103,787

44,348,976

0.58

36.15

66.71

40.90

Private Equity

18,791,896

26,664,758

31.74

27.86

15.19

24.59

Private Note

33,002,300

15,060,365

4.61

19.09

7.30

13.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short term Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Treasury Bills

10,354,567

10,209,021

39.61

4.41

7.12

9.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Investments

130,252,550

96,283,120

76.54

87.51

96.32

88.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

7,905,282

9,913,802

76.54

-

-

9.14

Extended Life Shares

78,752,876

55,603,896

-

87.51

-

51.29

New Global Shares

43,594,392

30,765,422

-

-

96.32

28.37

 

130,252,550

96,283,120

76.54

87.51

96.32

88.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit Default Swap

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

(18,553)

(15,021)

(0.12)

-

-

(0.01)

Extended Life Shares

(48,523)

(39,285)

-

(0.06)

-

(0.04)

 

(67,076)

(54,306)

(0.12)

(0.06)

-

(0.05)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward Currency Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

-

181,051

1.40

-

-

0.17

Extended Life Shares

-

472,074

-

0.74

-

0.44

 

-

653,125

1.40

0.74

-

0.61

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

-

(467,425)

(3.61)

-

-

(0.43)

Extended Life Shares

-

(1,512,340)

-

(2.38)

-

(1.39)

 

-

(1,979,765)

(3.61)

(2.38)

-

(1.82)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return swap2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

-

(341,368)

(2.64)

-

-

(0.31)

Extended Life Shares

-

(881,178)

-

(1.40)

-

(0.81)

 

-

(1,222,546)

(2.64)

(1.40)

-

(1.12)

 

 

1 This is the Fair Value expressed as a percentage of total Company NAV, Ordinary Share NAV, Extended Life Share NAV and New Global Share NAV .

 

2 The trade claim was structured through a fully funded total return swap with a major US financial institution. See Note 3.

 

AT 31 DECEMBER 2019

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

Cost

Fair Value

 

Ordinary

Shares

(%)1

 

 

Extended Life

Shares

(%)1

 

 

 

New Global Shares

(%)1

 

 

 

Total Company

(%)1

Portfolio of Distressed Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank Debt Investments

63,993,341

44,839,681

0.54

23.20

25.50

22.53

Private Equity

60,966,636

39,031,269

21.17

19.57

19.39

19.61

Private Note

44,371,898

28,347,559

6.30

20.81

6.88

14.24

Public Equity

62,363,549

64,453,075

33.83

22.64

45.11

32.38

Trade Claim2

13,032,089

12,149,475

24.31

8.27

-

6.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Treasury Bills

4,042,857

4,043,149

8.22

2.74

-

2.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Investments

248,770,370

192,864,208

94.37

97.23

96.88

96.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

17,758,457

13,188,939

94.37

-

-

6.63

Extended Life Shares

141,969,927

102,843,628

-

97.23

-

51.66

New Global Shares

89,041,986

76,831,641

-

-

96.88

38.60

 

248,770,370

192,864,208

94.37

97.23

96.88

96.89

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit Default Swap

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

(28,318)

(22,095)

(0.16)

-

-

(0.01)

Extended Life Shares

(71,627)

(55,888)

-

(0.05)

-

(0.03)

 

(99,945)

(77,983)

(0.16)

(0.05)

-

(0.04)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forward Currency Contracts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

-

121,184

0.87

-

-

0.06

Extended Life Shares

-

335,899

-

0.32

-

0.17

 

-

457,083

0.87

0.32

-

0.23

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinary Shares

-

(280,190)

(2.00)

-

-

(0.14)

Extended Life Shares

-

(1,067,674)

-

(1.01)

-

(0.54)

 

-

(1,347,864)

(2.00)

(1.01)

-

(0.68)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extended Life Shares

478,733

109

-

-

-

-

New Global Shares

274,222

44

-

-

-

-

 

752,955

153

-

-

-

-

 

1 This is the Fair Value expressed as a percentage of total Company NAV, Ordinary Share NAV, Extended Life Share NAV and New Global Share NAV .

 

2 The trade claim was structured through a fully funded total return swap with a major US financial institution.

 

The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

 

Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments

 

Investments with the following issuers comprised greater than 5% of Total Company NAV  

 

31 DECEMBER 2020

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

Country

Industry

Nominal

Cost

Fair Value

Ordinary

Shares

(%)1

Extended

Life

Shares

(%)1

New Global Shares

 (%)1

Total Company

(%)1

Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dumas Shipping TL B

(Bank Debt Investments)

Marshall Islands

Shipping

  20,015,014

  19,812,305

  11,081,139

  - 

12.44

9.95

  10.22

Dumas Shipping TL A

(Bank Debt Investments)

Marshall Islands

Shipping

  2,373,118

  2,373,118

  1,313,856

  - 

1.47

1.18

  1.21

Dumas Shipping

(Private Equity)

Marshall Islands

Shipping

  349

  1,003,803

  - 

  - 

-

-

  - 

Package Holdings 1

(Private Note)

Luxembourg

Containers and Packaging

  11,108,610

  - 

  12,841,665

  27.71

  14.56

-

  11.84

Package Holdings 6

(Private Note)

Luxembourg

Containers and Packaging

  2,948,481

  1,893,980

  1,780,718

  3.84

  2.02

-

  1.64

AB Zwolle T/L EUR 01/06/2020

(Bank Debt Investments)

Netherlands

Commercial Mortgage

  18,526,730

  13,646,548

  12,329,248

  - 

8.60

21.49

  11.37

US Treasury N/B 1.500% 02/15/30 (US Treasury Bills)

United States

United States

  9,650,000

  10,354,566

  10,209,021

  39.61 

4.41

7.12

  9.42

Buffalo Thunder Dev Auth 11.000% 12/09/22 SR: Regs

(Private Note)

United States

Lodging & Casinos

  14,001,965

  11,641,233

  7,000,982

  - 

  7.35 

7.30

  6.46

TP Ferro Concesionaria TL 1L 31/03/2016 (Bank Debt Investments)

Spain

Surface Transport

  18,787,735

  18,531,522

  6,896,320

  - 

  5.45 

10.76

  6.36

TP Ferro Concesionaria TP Ferro TL-A  (First-Lien)

(Bank Debt Investments)

Spain

Surface Transport

  1,422,129

  1,422,129

  1,422,129

  - 

1.12

2.23

  1.31

TP Ferro Concesionaria TP Ferro 1L TL-B EUR  (First-Lien) EUR (Bank Debt Investments)

Spain

Surface Transport

  286,335

  329,920

  350,345

  - 

  0.28 

0.55

  0.32

TP Ferro PIK 5A 4/20

(Bank Debt Investments)

Spain

Surface Transport

  252,179

  252,179

  252,179

  - 

0.20

0.39

  0.23

TP Ferro Concesionaria TP Ferro 1L TL-C  (First-Lien)

(Bank Debt Investments)

Spain

Surface Transport

  123,865

  123,865

  123,865

  - 

0.10

0.19

  0.11

White Energy Holding Company Llc (Private Equity)

United States

Oil & Gas

  367

  9,174,989

  6,239,000

  - 

7.01

5.59

  5.75

Aca Fin Guaranty Corp 12-31/12/2019 Frn (Private Note)

United States

Financial Intermediaries

  69,599,357

  11,086,183

  4,175,961

  4.61

5.63

-

  3.85

Aca Fin Gur Sur Non Vt 12-31/12/2019 Frn (Private Note)

United States

Financial Intermediaries

  64,723,682

  10,274,884

  3,883,421

  -

6.11

-

  3.58

Hotel Puerta America Pik TL EUR (Bank Debt Investments)

Spain

Lodging & Casinos

  3,728,985

  4,065,113

  4,562,599

  - 

  - 

14.29

  4.21

Hotel Puerta America

(Private Equity)

Spain

Lodging & Casinos

  934

  3,013,332

  1,983,471

  - 

  - 

6.21

  1.83

Hotel Puerta America Pik Addon EUR (Bank Debt Investments)

Spain

Lodging & Casinos

  1,482,704

  1,609,295

  1,814,163

  - 

  - 

5.68

  1.68

 

 

 

 

120,608,964

88,260,082

75.77

76.75

92.94

81.39

 

 

1 T his is the Fair Value expressed as a percentage of total Company NAV, Ordinary Share NAV, Extended Life Share NAV and New Global Share NAV.

The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

Investments with the following issuers comprised greater than 5% of Total Company NAV  

 

 

31 DECEMBER 2019

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

Country

Industry

Nominal

Cost

Fair Value

Ordinary

Shares

(%)1

Extended

Life

Shares

(%)1

New Global Shares

 (%)1

Total Company

(%)1

Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Twin Rivers Worldwide Holdings (Public Equity)

United States

Lodging & Casinos

793,386

6,349,931

20,318,615

-

5.76

17.94

10.21

Dumas Shipping TL B

(Bank Debt Investments)

Marshall Islands

Shipping

17,232,859

16,788,999

13,596,726

-

9.17

4.92

6.83

Dumas Shipping TL A

(Bank Debt Investments)

Marshall Islands

Shipping

2,043,246

2,043,246

1,612,121

-

1.09

0.58

0.81

Torm plc

(Public Equity)

Denmark

Shipping

1,169,202

14,207,442

13,049,678

-

5.80

8.73

6.56

AB Zwolle T/L EUR 01/06/2020 (Bank Debt Investments)

Netherlands

Commercial Mortgage

18,526,730

13,646,548

12,810,493

-

5.37

8.99

6.44

Five Point Holdings LLC-CL A (Public Equity)

United States

Building & Development

1,720,599

23,945,425

11,975,369

15.46

6.03

4.34

6.02

Aleris International Inc

(Private Equity)

United States

Nonferrous Metals/Minerals

589,611

20,100,668

11,202,609

-

5.82

6.35

5.63

Tratex III

(Private Equity)

Brazil

Surface Transport

9

12,015,693

11,092,750

22.18

7.56

-

5.57

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc

(Public Equity)

United States

Shipping

2,303,182

7,582,125

10,571,605

1.32

4.42

7.20

5.31

Exide Private Common

(Private Equity)

United States

Auto Components

4,913,258

8,210,824

8,598,201

7.73

4.08

4.04

4.32

Exide Technologies 11.000% 10/31/24 SR:REGS

(Private Equity)

United States

Auto Components

6,778,720

6,043,543

6,100,848

0.28

4.09

2.18

3.05

Exide Technologies 11.000% 10/31/24 SR:REGs

(Warrant)

United States

Auto Components

2,810,467

2,505,671

2,388,897

0.11

1.60

0.85

1.20

Exide Technologies Common Stock Escrow

(Bank Debt Investments)

United States

Auto Components

23,389,000

-

2

-

-

-

-

 

 

 

 

133,440,115

123,317,914

47.08

60.79

66.12

61.95

 

1 T his is the Fair Value expressed as a percentage of total Company NAV, Ordinary Share NAV, Extended Life Share NAV and New Global Share NAV.

 

 The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments (by geography)

 

AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

 

 

Cost

Fair Value

Ordinary

Shares

 (%)1

Extended Life

Shares

(%)1

New Global Shares

(%)1

Total Company

(%)1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Geographic diversity of Portfolio s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio of Distressed Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

France

 

3,705,793

  3,819,904

  0.19

  4.27

  3.39

  3.52

Luxembourg

 

1,893,980

  14,622,383

  31.55

  16.58

  - 

  13.49

Marshall Islands

 

23,189,227

  12,394,995

  - 

  13.91

  11.13

  11.43

Netherlands

 

13,646,548

  12,329,248

  - 

  8.60

  21.49

  11.37

Spain

 

29,347,356

  17,405,071

  - 

  7.14

  40.30

  16.05

United States

 

48,115,080

  25,502,497

  5.19

  32.60

  12.89

  23.52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

10,354,566

10,209,022

39.61

4.41

7.12

9.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

130,252,550

96,283,120

76.54

87.51

96.32

88.80

 

1 This is the Fair Value expressed as a percentage of total Company NAV, Ordinary Share NAV, Extended Life Share NAV and New Global Share NAV.

 

 The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

AT 31 DECEMBER 2019

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

 

 

Cost

Fair Value

Ordinary

Shares

 (%)1

Extended Life

Shares

(%)1

New Global Shares

(%)1

Total Company

(%)1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Geographic diversity of Portfolio s

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio of Distressed Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brazil

 

13,032,089

12,149,474

24.31

8.27

-

6.10

Denmark

 

14,207,442

13,049,678

-

5.80

8.73

6.56

Greece

 

357,242

293,876

0.59

0.20

-

0.15

Luxembourg

 

1,893,981

6,115,253

12.23

4.17

-

3.07

Marshall Islands

 

19,836,048

16,144,863

-

10.88

5.84

8.11

Netherlands

 

13,646,548

12,810,493

-

5.37

8.99

6.44

Spain

 

26,822,155

16,158,401

-

3.59

15.58

8.12

United States

 

154,932,009

112,099,021

49.02

56.21

57.74

56.31

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

4,042,856

4,043,149

8.22

2.74

-

2.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

248,770,370

192,864,208

  94.37

  97.23

  96.88

  96.89

 

1 This is the Fair Value expressed as a percentage of total Company NAV, Ordinary Share NAV, Extended Life Share NAV and New Global Share NAV.

 

The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments (by sector)

 

AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

Cost

Fair Value

Ordinary

Shares

(%)1

Extended Life

Shares

 (%)1

New Global

Shares

 (%)1

Total Company

(%)1

Industry diversity of Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio of Distressed Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Auto Components

3,705,793

  3,819,904

  0.19

  4.27

  3.39

  3.52

Building & Development

1,934,272

269,330

  0.58

  0.31

  - 

  0.25

Commercial Mortgage

13,646,548

12,329,248

  - 

  8.60

  21.49

  11.37

Containers and Packaging

1,893,980

14,622,383

  31.55

  16.58

  - 

  13.49

Financial Intermediaries

21,361,067

8,059,383

  4.61

  11.74

  - 

  7.43

Lodging & Casinos

24,332,492

19,295,018

  - 

  13.54

  33.48

  17.80

Oil & Gas

9,174,989

6,239,000

  - 

  7.01

  5.59

  5.75

Shipping

23,189,227

12,394,995

  - 

  13.91

  11.13

  11.43

Surface Transport

20,659,616

9,044,838

  - 

  7.14

  14.12

  8.34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

10,354,566

10,209,021

39.61

4.41

7.12

9.42

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

130,252,550

96,283,120

76.54

87.51

96.32

88.80

 

1 This is the Fair Value expressed as a percentage of total Company NAV, Ordinary Share NAV, Extended Life Share NAV and New Global Share NAV.

 

 The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

AT 31 DECEMBER 2019

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

Cost

Fair Value

Ordinary

Shares

(%)1

Extended Life

Shares

 (%)1

New Global

Shares

 (%)1

Total Company

(%)1

Industry diversity of Portfolios

 

 

 

 

 

 

Portfolio of Distressed Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Air Transport

20,522

4,079

-

-

-

-

Auto Components

21,125,365

20,189,585

8.38

11.81

8.23

10.14

Building & Development

25,882,044

12,245,025

16.00

6.21

4.34

6.15

Commercial Mortgage

13,646,548

12,810,493

-

5.37

8.99

6.44

Containers and Packaging

1,893,980

6,115,253

12.23

4.17

-

3.07

Financial Intermediaries

21,009,992

10,122,906

5.37

8.86

-

5.09

Lodging & Casinos

28,850,186

39,919,106

-

13.97

31.70

20.05

Nonferrous Metals/Minerals

20,303,171

11,435,364

-

5.94

6.49

5.74

Oil & Gas

14,717,311

7,813,912

-

4.71

3.56

3.93

Shipping

41,982,857

40,060,022

1.91

21.30

21.77

20.13

Surface Transport

33,035,557

19,729,734

24.30

11.88

4.77

9.91

Utilities

22,259,981

8,375,580

17.96

0.27

7.03

4.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Temporary Investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

4,042,856

4,043,149

8.22

2.74

-

2.03

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

248,770,370

192,864,208

94.37

97.23

96.88

96.89

 

1 This is the Fair Value expressed as a percentage of total Company NAV, Ordinary Share NAV, Extended Life Share NAV and New Global Share NAV.

 

The accompanying notes below are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 - ORGANISATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

 

NB Distressed Debt Investment Fund Limited ("The Company") is a closed-ended investment company registered and incorporated in Guernsey under the provisions of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008 (as amended) (the "Companies Law") with registration number 51774. The Company's shares are traded on the Specialist Fund Segment ("SFS") of the London Stock Exchange ("LSE"). All share classes are in the harvest period.

 

The Company's objective is to provide investors with attractive risk-adjusted returns through long-biased, opportunistic stressed, distressed and special situation credit-related investments while seeking to limit downside risk by, amongst other things, focusing on senior and senior secured debt with both collateral and structural protection.

 

The Company's share capital is denominated in US Dollars for Ordinary Shares and Extended Life Shares and Pounds Sterling for New Global Shares.

 

NOTE 2 - SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

In August 2018, Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued FASB Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 820) - Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The Company has adopted ASU 2018-13 for the current year. The adoption resulted primarily in the removal of Level 1 and Level 2 transfer disclosures.

 

(a)  Basis of Preparation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements ("Financial Statements") give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and return and have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("US GAAP") and Companies Law and are expressed in US Dollars. All adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the financial statements, for the year presented, have been included.

The Company is regarded as an Investment Company and follows the accounting and reporting guidance in FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 946. Accordingly, the Company reflects its investments on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities at their estimated fair values, with unrealised gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value reflected in net change in unrealised gain/(loss) on investments, credit default swap, warrants, total return swap and forward currency transactions in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

The Board recognises that the Portfolios ( the Ordinary Share Class; the Extended Life Share Class; and the New Global Share Class ) are now in their harvest periods. Having carried out a going concern assessment which considered the impact of COVID-19, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the twelve months from the date these accounts are signed and the foreseeable future. Thus, they continue to prepare the Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, as liquidation is not imminent.

 

The Financial Statements include the results of the Company and its wholly-owned and partially-owned subsidiaries, whose accounting policies are consistent with those of the Company. The Consolidated Financial Statements include full consolidation of any owned subsidiaries, except where the effect on the Company's financial position and results of operations are immaterial. Transactions between the Company and the subsidiaries have been eliminated on consolidation.

 

Wholly-owned subsidiaries, London Wabash LLC and London Wabash (Global) LLC are incorporated in Delaware and operate in the United States.

 

Wholly-owned subsidiaries, London Lake Michigan LP and London Lake Michigan (Global) LP are incorporated in the Cayman Islands.

 

Wholly-owned subsidiaries, London Lux Masterco 1 S.a.r.l. , London Lux Debtco 1 S.a.r.l. and London Lux Propco 1 S.a.r.l. are incorporated in Luxembourg.

 

Partially owned indirect subsidiaries NB Distressed Debt Aggregating Inc. and Chicago Aircraft Fund LLC are incorporated in Delaware and operate in the United States.

 

London Jackson Holdco LLC and London Dearborn (Global) LLC were respectively dissolved on 12 November 2020 and 6 October 2020.

 

(b)  Use of Estimates

The preparation of these Financial Statements in conformity with US GAAP requires that the Directors make estimates and assumptions (as mentioned in detail on note 2 (f) below) that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting year.

 

Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.

 

(c)  Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

The Company holds cash and cash equivalents in US Dollar and non-US Dollar denominated currencies with original maturities of less than 90 days that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near maturity that they represent an insignificant risk of change in value to be cash equivalents. As at 31 December 2020, the Company has cash balances in various currencies equating to $13,635,320 (Cost: $13,785,955) (31 December 2019: $5,809,726) including cash and cash equivalents of $2,035,320 (31 December 2019: $5,379,726) as well as restricted cash of $11,600,000 (31 December 2019: $430,000). Restricted cash of $630,000 and $10,970,000 are respectively used as collateral for forward currency contracts and the total return swap positions on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and are held by UBS and Bank of America Merrill Lynch. The amount of collateral will vary depending on the current fair value of the forward currency contracts and total return swap.

 

(d)  Payables/Receivables on Investments Purchased/Sold

At 31 December 2020, the amount payable/receivable on investments purchased/sold represents amounts due for investments purchased/sold that have been contracted for but not settled on the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities date.

 

(e)  Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currency are translated into US Dollars at the currency exchange rates on the date of valuation. On initial recognition, foreign currency sales and purchases transactions are recorded and translated at the spot exchange rate at the transaction date and for all other transactions, the average rate is applied. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at the historic exchange rate.

 

The Company does not separate the changes relating to currency exchange rates from those relating to changes in fair value of the investments. These fluctuations are included in the net realised gain and net change in unrealised gain/(loss) on investments, credit default swap, warrants, total return swap and forward currency transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

(f)  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The fair value of the Company's assets and liabilities that qualify as financial instruments under FASB ASC 825, Financial Instruments, approximate the carrying amounts presented in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

 

Fair value prices are estimates made at a discrete point in time, based on relevant market data, information about the financial instruments, and other factors.

 

Fair value is determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. Estimates of fair value of financial instruments without quoted market prices are subjective in nature and involve various assumptions and estimates that are matters of judgement. Accordingly, fair values are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that will be realised on disposal of financial instruments. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on estimated fair value amounts.

 

The following estimates and assumptions were used at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019 to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

 

· Cash and cash equivalents - The carrying value reasonably approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

 

· Receivables for investments sold - The carrying value reasonably approximates fair value as it reflects the value at which investments are sold to a willing buyer and the settlement period on their balances is short term.

 

· Interest receivables and other receivables and prepayments - The carrying value reasonably approximates fair value.

 

· Quoted investments are valued according to their bid price at the close of the relevant reporting date. Investments in private securities are priced at the bid price using a pricing service for private loans. If a price cannot be ascertained from the above sources, the Company will seek bid prices from third party broker/dealer quotes for the investments.

 

· Warrants are priced using the bid price provided by third party broker / dealer market quotes.

 

· In cases where no third party price is available, or where the Investment Manager determines that the provided price is not an accurate representation of the fair value of the investment, the Investment Manager determines the valuation based on its fair valuation policy. Further information on valuations is provided in Note 2 (g), "Investment transactions, investment income/expenses and valuation", below.

 

· Payables for investments purchased - The carrying value reasonably approximates fair value as they reflect the value at which investments are purchased from a willing seller and the settlement period on their balances is short term.

 

· Payables to Investment Manager and affiliates and accrued expenses and other liabilities - The carrying value reasonably approximates fair value.

 

 (f)  Fair Value of Financial Instruments (continued)

 

· Forward currency contracts are revalued using the forward exchange rate prevailing at the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities date.

 

· Total return swaps and credit default swaps are priced using mark to market prices provided by a third party broker.

The Company follows guidance in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement ("ASC 820"), where fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurements are determined within a framework that establishes a three-tier hierarchy which maximises the use of observable market data and minimises the use of unobservable inputs to establish a classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes.

 

Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, such as the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value using a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs for the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable.

Observable inputs reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on market data obtained from sources independent of the Company. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company's own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the information available. The inputs or methodology used for valuing assets or liabilities may not be an indication of the risks associated with investing in those assets or liabilities.

 

ASC 820 classifies the inputs used to measure these fair values into the following hierarchy:

 

Level 1 :   Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.

 

Level 2 :   Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies.

 

Level 3 :   Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. The inputs used in the determination of the fair value require significant management judgement or estimation.

 

In all cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgement and considers factors specific to each investment.

 

The following is a summary of the levels within the fair value hierarchy in which the Company invests:

 

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AT 31 DECEMBER 2020

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

Bank Debt Investments

  - 

  4,203,132

  40,145,844

  44,348,976

Private Equity

  - 

  6,239,000

  20,425,758

  26,664,758

Private Notes

  - 

  7,000,983

  8,059,382

  15,060,365

US Treasury Bills

  10,209,021

  - 

  - 

  10,209,021

Investments at fair value

  10,209,021

  17,443,115

  68,630,984

  96,283,120

Credit Default Swap

  - 

 (54,306)

  - 

 (54,306)

Total return swap

  - 

-

 (1,222,546) 

 (1,222,546)

Forward Currency Contracts

  - 

 (1,326,640)

  - 

 (1,326,640)

Total investments that are accounted for at fair value

  10,209,021

  16,062,169

  67,408,438

  93,679,628

 

 

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AT 31 DECEMBER 2019

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

Bank Debt Investments

-

11,102,474

33,737,207

44,839,681

Private Equity

-

11,690,747

27,340,522

39,031,269

Private Note

-

17,123,888

11,223,671

28,347,559

Public Equity

64,453,075

-

-

64,453,075

Trade Claim

-

-

12,149,475

12,149,475

US Treasury Bills

4,043,149

-

-

4,043,149

Investments at fair value

68,496,224

39,917,109

84,450,875

192,864,208

Warrants

-

153

-

153

Credit Default Swap

-

(77,983)

-

(77,983)

Forward Currency Contracts

-

(890,781)

-

(890,781)

Total investments that are accounted for at fair value

68,496,224

38,948,498

84,450,875

191,895,597

 

The following table summarises the significant unobservable inputs the Company used to value its investments categorised within Level 3 at 31 December 2020. The table is not intended to be all-inclusive but instead captures the significant unobservable inputs relevant to our determination of fair values.

 

Type

Sector

Fair Value ($)

Primary Valuation Technique

Significant unobservable Inputs

 Range Input

Bank Debt Investments

Commercial Mortgage

12,329,248

Market Comparatives

Discount Rate

10%

Bank Debt Investments

Lodging & Casinos

6,376,763

Market Comparatives

Discount Rate

15%

Bank Debt Investments

Shipping

12,394,995

Market Information

Value Per Vessel

$7.5 million per vessel

Bank Debt Investments

Surface Transport

9,044,838

Market Information

Unadjusted Broker Quote

N/A

Private Equity

Auto Components

3,819,904

Market Information

EBITDA Multiple

4-5X

Private Equity

Containers and Packaging

14,622,383

Market Comparatives

EBITDA Multiple/

Discount Rate

9X/

20%

Private Equity

Lodging & Casinos

1,983,471

Market Comparatives

Discount Rate

15%

Private Equity

Shipping

-

Market Information

Value Per Vessel

$7.5 million per vessel

Private Note

Financial Intermediaries

8,059,382

Market Information

Unadjusted Broker Quote

N/A

Total

 

68,630,984

 

 

 

             

 

The following table summarises the significant unobservable inputs the Company used to value its investments categorised within Level 3 at 31 December 2019. The table is not intended to be all-inclusive but instead captures the significant unobservable inputs relevant to our determination of fair values.

 

Type

Sector

Fair Value ($)

Primary Valuation Technique

Significant unobservable Inputs

 Range Input

Bank Debt Investments

Building & Development

 269,656

Market Information

Unadjusted Broker Quote

N/A

Bank Debt Investments

Commercial Mortgage

 12,810,493

Market Comparatives

Discount Rate

10%

Bank Debt Investments

Lodging & Casinos

 3,983,830

Market Comparatives

EBITDA Multiple

13-14x

Bank Debt Investments

Shipping

 15,208,846

Market Information

Value Per Vessel

$9 million per vessel

Bank Debt Investments

Surface Transport

 1,464,382

Market Information

Unadjusted Broker Quote

N/A

Private Equity

Air Transport

 4,079

Market Information

Residual Value/ Cash Receivable

N/A

Private Equity

Auto Components

 9,181,463

Market Information

EBITDA Multiple

6-7x

Private Equity

Containers and Packaging

 6,115,253

Market Comparatives

EBITDA Multiple

10x

Private Equity

Lodging & Casinos

 4,594,312

Market Comparatives

EBITDA Multiple

13-14x

Private Equity

Oil & Gas

 6,509,399

Market Information

Unadjusted Broker Quote

N/A

Private Equity

Shipping

 936,016

Market Information

Value Per Vessel

$9 million per vessel

Private Note

Auto Components

 11,008,124

Market Information

EBITDA Multiple

6-7x

Private Note

Utilities

 215,547

Market Information

Unadjusted Broker Quote

N/A

Trade Claim

Surface Transport

 12,149,475

Market Information

Unadjusted Broker Quote

N/A

Total

 

84,450,875

 

 

 

               

 

Changes in any of the above inputs may positively or adversely impact the fair value of the relevant investments.

 

Level 3 assets are valued using single bid-side broker quotes or by good faith methods of the Investment Manager. For single broker quotes the Investment Manager uses unobservable inputs to assess the reasonableness of the broker quote. For good faith valuations, the Investment Manager directly uses unobservable inputs to produce valuations. The significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 assets at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019 are outlined in the tables above.

 

These inputs vary by asset class. For example, real estate asset valuations may utilise discounted cash flow models using an average value per square foot and appropriate discount rate. Other assets may be valued based on analysis of the liquidation of the underlying assets. In general, increases/(decreases) to per unit valuation inputs such as value per square foot, will result in increases/(decreases) to investment value.

 

Similarly, increases/(decreases) of asset realisation inputs (liquidation estimate, letter of intent, etc.) will also result in increases/(decreases) in value. In situations where discounted cash flow models are used, increasing/(decreasing) discount rates or increasing/(decreasing) weighted average life, in isolation, will generally result in (decreased)/increased valuations.

 

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of opening and closing balances of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs:

 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2020

  (EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

 

 

 

Bank Debt Investments

 

Private Equity

 

Trade Claim

 

Private Note

 

Total

Balance, 31 December 2019

 

33,737,207

 

27,340,522

 

12,149,475

 

11,223,671

 

84,450,875

Purchases

 

5,637,229

 

3,705,792

 

  - 

 

10,346

 

9,353,367

Sales and distributions

 

(32,662)

 

(563,490)

 

(10,963,563)

 

(3,900,503)

 

(15,460,218)

Realised gain/(loss) on sale of investments

 

30,317

 

(10,084,280)

 

(2,068,527)

 

(7,346,911)

 

(19,469,401)

Unrealised (loss)/gain on investments

 

(5,072,795)

 

6,266,214

 

(339,931)

 

(2,050,127)

 

(1,196,639)

Transfers from level 3 into Level 2

 

(269,329)

 

(6,239,000)

 

  - 

 

  - 

 

(6,508,329)

Transfers from level 2 into Level 3

 

6,115,877

 

  - 

 

  - 

 

10,122,906

 

16,238,783

Balance, 31 December 2020

 

40,145,844

 

20,425,758

 

(1,222,546)

 

8,059,382

 

67,408,438

Change in unrealised (loss)/gain on investments

included in Consolidated Statement of Operation for Level 3 investments held as of 31 December 2020

 

(5,072,795)

 

6,266,214

 

(339,931)

 

(2,050,122)

 

(1,196,633)

 

The Company's policy is to recognise transfers into and out of Level 3 as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. During the year the Company had three transfers out of Level 3 into Level 2 of fair value amounting to $6,508,329 due to quoted prices being observable. The Company also had one transfer out of Level 2 into Level 3 of fair value amounting to $16,238,783 as no quoted prices were observable.

 

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2019

  (EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS)

 

 

 

Bank Debt Investments

 

Private Equity

 

Trade Claim

 

Warrants

 

Private Note

 

Total

Balance, 31 December 2018

 

38,201,360

 

45,511,526

 

12,081,316

 

199,745

 

7,056,781

 

103,050,728

Purchases

 

1,957,203

 

7,341,874

 

-

 

-

 

4,254,321

 

13,553,398

Sales and distributions

 

(2,818,093)

 

(38,966,767)

 

-

 

-

 

( 7,517,824)

 

(49,302,684)

Realised loss on sale of investments

 

(22,089,132)

 

(202,957)

 

-

 

-

 

(13,285,081)

 

(35,577,170)

Unrealised gain/(loss) on investments

 

18,485,869

 

(1,023,154)

 

68,159

 

(199,745)

 

4,946,900

 

22,278,029

Transfers from level 2 into Level 3

 

-

 

14,680,000

 

-

 

-

 

15,768,574

 

30,448,574

Balance, 31 December 2019

 

33,737,207

 

27,340,522

 

12,149,475

 

-

 

11,223,671

 

84,450,875

Change in unrealised gain/(loss) on investments

included in Consolidated Statement of Operation for Level 3 investments held as of 31 December 2019

 

18,485,869

 

(1,023,166)

 

68,159

 

(199,745)

 

4,759,549

 

22,090,666

 

The Company's policy is to recognise transfers into and out of Level 3 as of the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer. During the year the Company had three transfers out of Level 2 into Level 3 of fair value amounting to $30,448,574 as prices were unobservable.

 

 

(g) Investment transactions, investment income/expenses and valuation

Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Upon sale or maturity, the difference between the consideration received and the cost of the investment is recognised as a realised gain or loss. The cost is determined based on the average cost method. All transactions relating to the restructuring of current investments are recorded at the date of such restructuring. The difference between the fair value of the new consideration received and the cost of the original investment is recognised as a realised gain or loss. Unrealised gains and losses on an investment are the difference between the cost if purchased during the year or fair value at the previous year end and the fair value at the current year end. Unrealised gains and losses are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

Operating expenses are recognised on an accruals basis. Operating expenses include amounts directly or indirectly incurred by the Company as part of its operations. Each share class will bear its respective pro-rata share based on its respective net asset value ("NAV") of the ongoing costs and expenses of the Company. Each share class will also bear all costs and expenses of the Company determined by the Directors to be attributable solely to it. Any costs incurred by a share buyback are charged to that share class.

 

For the year ended 31 December 2020, $97,467 (31 December 2019: $275,938) was recorded to reflect accretion of discount on loans and bonds during the period.

 

Interest earned on debt instruments is accounted for, net of applicable withholding taxes and it is recognised as income over the terms of the loans and bonds. Discounts received or premiums paid in connection with the acquisition of loans and bonds are amortised into interest income using the effective interest method over the contractual life of the related loan and bond. If a loan is repaid prior to maturity, the recognition of the fees and costs is accelerated as appropriate. The Company raises a provision when the collection of interest is deemed doubtful. Dividend income is recognised on the ex-dividend date net of withholding tax.  

 

Payment-in-kind ("PIK") interest is computed at the contractual rate specified in the loan agreement for any portion of the interest which may be added to the principal balance of a loan rather than paid in cash by the obligator on the scheduled interest payment date. PIK interest is periodically added to the principal balance of the loan and recorded as interest income. The Investment Manager places a receivable on non-accrual status when the collection of principal or interest is deemed doubtful. The amount of interest income recorded, plus initial costs of underlying PIK interest is reviewed periodically to ensure that these do not exceed fair value of those assets.

 

The Company carries investments on its Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities at fair value in accordance with US GAAP, with changes in fair value recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in each reporting period. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received on the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability (i.e. the "exit price") in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

 

Quoted investments are valued according to their bid price at the close of the relevant reporting date. Investments in private securities are priced at the bid price using a pricing service for private loans.

 

If a price cannot be ascertained from the above sources the Company will seek bid prices from third party broker/dealer quotes for the investments. The Investment Manager believes that bid price is the best estimate of fair value and is in line with the valuation policy adopted by the Company.

 

In cases where no third party price is available, or where the Investment Manager determines that the provided price is not an accurate representation of the fair value of the investment, the Administrator will value such investments with the input of the Investment Manager who will determine the valuation based on its fair valuation policy. As part of the investment fair valuation policy, the Investment Manager prepares a fair valuation memorandum for each such investment presenting the methodology and assumptions used to derive the price. This analysis is presented to the Investment Manager's Valuation Committee for approval.

 

The following criteria are considered when applicable:

 

· The valuation of other securities by the same issuer for which market quotations are available;

· The reasons for absence of market quotations;

· The soundness of the security, its interest yield, the date of maturity, the credit standing of the issue and the current general interest rates;

· Any recent sales prices and/or bid and ask quotations for the security;

· The value of similar securities of issuers in the same or similar industries for which market quotations are available;

· The economic outlook of the industry;

· The issuer's position in the industry;

· The financial statements of the issuer; and

· The nature and duration of any restriction on disposition of the security.

 

(h) Derivative Contracts

The Company may, from time to time, hold derivative financial instruments for the purposes of managing foreign currency exposure and to provide a measure of protection against defaults of corporate or sovereign issuers. These derivatives are measured at fair value in conformity with US GAAP with changes in fair value recognised in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in each reporting period.

 

As part of the Company's investment strategy, the Company enters into over-the-counter ("OTC") derivative contracts which may include forward currency contracts, credit default swaps, total return swaps and warrants.

 

Forward currency contracts are valued at the prevailing forward exchange rate of the underlying currencies on the reporting date and the value recorded in the financial statements represents net unrealised gain and loss on forwards as at 31 December. Forward contracts are generally categorised in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

The credit default swap has been entered into on the OTC market. The fair value of the credit default swap contract is derived using a pricing service provided by Markit Partners. Markit Partners use a pricing model that is widely accepted by marketplace participants. Their pricing model takes into account multiple inputs including specific contract terms, interest rate yield curves, interest rates, credit curves, recovery rates, and current credit spreads obtained from swap counterparties and other market participants. Many inputs into the model do not require material subjectivity as they are observable in the marketplace or set per the contract. Other than the contract terms, valuation is mainly determined by the difference between the contract spread and the current market spread. The contract spread (or rate) is generally fixed and the market spread is determined by the credit risk of the underlying debt or reference entity. If the underlying debt is liquid and the OTC market for the current spread is active, credit default swaps are categorised in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. If the underlying debt is illiquid and the OTC market for the current spread is not active, credit default swaps are categorised in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

 

The total return swap is valued using a mark to market prices provided by a third party broker.

 

The Company no longer holds warrants (2019: six warrants) which it priced based on the bid price provided by a third party broker/dealer quote in prior year.

 

(i) Taxation

The Company is not subject to income taxes in Guernsey; however, it may be subject to taxes imposed by other countries on income it derives from investments.

 

Such taxes are reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In accordance with US GAAP, management is required to determine whether a tax position of the Company is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognised is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realised upon ultimate settlement. De-recognition of a tax benefit previously recognised could result in the Company recording a tax liability that would reduce net assets. US GAAP also provides guidance on thresholds, measurement, de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition that is intended to provide better financial statement comparability among different entities.

 

There were no uncertain tax positions at 31 December 2020 or 31 December 2019. The Company is subject to examination for US Federal and state tax returns for calendar years 2017-2020.

 

During the year ended 31 December 2020, the Company recorded current income tax benefit/expense $7,172 (31 December 2019 income tax benefit: $134,860). Deferred taxes are recorded to reflect the tax consequences of future years' differences between the tax basis of assets and their financial reporting basis. The deferred tax benefit recorded for the year ended 31 December 2020 was $Nil (31 December 2019 deferred tax benefit: $355,057). The net total income tax benefit/expense from realised/unrealised gains/(losses) on investments for the year ended 31 December 2020 was $7,172 (31 December 2019 income tax benefit: $220,197).

 

NOTE 3 - DERIVATIVES

 

In the normal course of business, the Company uses derivative contracts in connection with its proprietary trading activities. Investments in derivative contracts are subject to additional risks that can result in a loss of all or part of the derivative investment. The Company's derivative activities and exposure to derivative contracts are classified by the following primary underlying risks: foreign currency exchange rate, credit, and equity price. In addition to its primary underlying risks, the Company is also subject to additional counterparty risk due to inability of its counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts.

 

Forward Contracts

The Company enters into forwards for the purposes of managing foreign currency exposure.

  

Credit Default Swap

The Company uses credit default swap agreements on corporate or sovereign issues to provide a measure of protection against defaults of the issuers (i.e., to reduce risk where a Company owns or has exposure to the referenced obligation) from time to time.

 

There was one credit default swap position (Brazilian Government) held at 31 December 2020 (31 December 2019: one).

 

Total Return Swap

The Company entered into two fully funded total return swaps on 2 May 2011 and 18 April 2012. These swaps matured on 25 February 2020 and rolled over into a new swap agreement. New ISDA regulations enacted in 2019 require booking the total return swaps with cash collateral maintained vs fully funded swaps.

 

As at 31 December 2019 the net value of the swaps was $12,149,475. From 1 January 2020 until the maturity date of 25 February 2020, there was a decline in the value of the swaps of $1,185,912 which is included in "Net realised loss on investments, credit default swap, warrants, total return swap and forward currency transactions" and "Net change in unrealised (loss)/gain on investment, credit default swap, warrants, total return swap and forward currency transactions" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations above. Of this amount, $1,434,274 was an unrealised loss relating to the change in foreign exchange rates during that period which was partially offset by a change in the fair value of the position. When the new swap was booked, cash collateral was required to be deposited with a banking intermediary and is included in restricted cash as of 31 December 2020. The underlying asset of the swaps is denominated in Brazilian Real and the foreign exchange exposure is hedged to offset any change in value in underlying asset due to the FX movements. As of 31 December 2020 the net value of the swap and related cash collateral was $9,747,454 (comprised of restricted cash collateral of $10,970,000 and total return swap liability of $(1,222,546), as reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities. 

 

Derivative activity

For the year ended 31 December 2020 and for the year ended 31 December 2019 the volume of the Company's derivative activities based on their notional amounts and number of contracts, categorised by primary underlying risk, are as follows:

 

 

31 DECEMBER 2020

LONG EXPOSURE

SHORT EXPOSURE

Primary underlying risk

NOTIONAL AMOUNTS

NUMBER OF CONTRACTS

NOTIONAL AMOUNTS

NUMBER OF CONTRACTS

Foreign currency exchange rate

 

 

 

 

Forward currency contracts

$ 197,834,461

5

$ 163,940,579

7

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

Credit default swap

$ 9,400,000

1

-

-

Total return swap

-

-

$ 10,960,348

2

 

  

31 DECEMBER 2019

LONG EXPOSURE

SHORT EXPOSURE

Primary underlying risk

NOTIONAL AMOUNTS

NUMBER OF CONTRACTS

NOTIONAL AMOUNTS

NUMBER OF CONTRACTS

Foreign currency exchange rate

 

 

 

 

Forward currency contracts

$ 210,139,227

8

$ 210,690,634

9

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

Credit default swap

$ 12,000,000

1

-

-

Total return swap

-

-

-

-

Equity price

 

 

 

 

  Warrants

$ 752,955

6

-

-

 

 

The following tables show, at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019, the fair value amounts of derivative contracts included in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities, categorised by primary underlying risk. Balances are presented on a gross basis prior to application of the impact of counterparty and collateral netting. Total derivative assets and liabilities are adjusted on an aggregate basis to take into account the effects of master netting arrangements and, where applicable, have been adjusted by the application of cash collateral receivables and payables with its counterparties. The tables also identify, at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019, the realised and unrealised gain and loss amounts included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations, categorised by primary underlying risk:

 

 

 

31 DECEMBER 2020

Primary underlying risk

Derivative Assets

($)

Derivative Liabilities

($)

Realised gain

(loss)

($)

NET CHANGE IN Unrealised gain (loss)

($)

Foreign currency exchange rate

 

 

 

 

Forward currency contracts

  653,125

(1,979,765)

2,173,950

(435,860)

Credit

 

 

 

 

Purchased protection

 

 

 

 

Credit default swap

  - 

(54,306)

(76,482)

(143,343)

Total return swap

 

(1,222,546)

  - 

(1,222,546)

Equity price

 

 

 

 

Warrants

  - 

  - 

  (211,330) 

752,802

 

 

 

31 DECEMBER 2019

Primary underlying risk

Derivative Assets

($)

Derivative Liabilities

($)

Realised gain

(loss)

($)

NET CHANGE IN Unrealised gain (loss)

($)

Foreign currency exchange rate

 

 

 

 

Forward currency contracts

-

(890,781)

2,591,545

(1,474,455)

Credit

 

 

 

 

Purchased protection

 

 

 

 

Credit default swap

-

(77,983)

(89,643)

(9,220)

Equity price

 

 

 

 

Warrants

153

-

-

(200,511)

 

 

Offsetting assets and liabilities

Amounts due from and to brokers are presented on a net basis, by counterparty, to the extent the Company has the legal right to offset the recognised amounts and intends to settle on a net basis.

 

The Company presents on a net basis the fair value amounts recognised for OTC derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting agreement.

 

The Company is required to disclose the impact of offsetting assets and liabilities presented in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities to enable users of the Financial Statements to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on its financial position for recognised assets and liabilities.

 

These recognised assets and liabilities include financial instruments and derivative contracts that are either subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement or meet the following right of set off criteria:

 

· each of the two parties owes the other determinable amounts;

· the Company has the right to set off the amounts owed with the amounts owed by the other party;

· the Company intends to set off; and

· the Company's right of set off is enforceable at law.

 

The Company is subject to enforceable master netting agreements with its counterparties of credit default swap with Bank of America Merrill Lynch of $Nil (31 December 2019: $Nil), total return swap with Bank of America Merrill Lynch of $Nil (31 December 2019: $Nil) and foreign currency exchange contracts with   Royal Bank of Canada of ($3,694) (31 December 2019: ($2,979)), Societe Generale of $4 (31 December 2019: ($1,861)) and UBS AG of $1,322,951 (31 December 2019: ($885,939)). These agreements govern the terms of certain transactions and reduce the counterparty risk associated with relevant transactions by specifying offsetting mechanisms and collateral posting arrangements at pre arranged exposure levels. There was a new collateral arrangement during the year for the total return swaps of $10,970,000 with Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

 

The following tables, at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019, show the gross and net derivatives assets and liabilities by contract type and amount for those derivatives contracts for which netting is permissible.

 

 

31 DECEMBER 2020

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS )

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

GROSS AMOUNTS OF RECOGNISED ASSETS

 

 

GROSS AMOUNTS OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

NET AMOUNTS OF RECOGNISED ASSETS PRESENTED IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 
 

Forward currency contracts

653,125

-

653,125

 

Total

653,125

-

653,125

 

 

Description

Gross Amounts of Recognised Liabilities

Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

Net Amounts of Recognised LIABILITIES Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

Forward currency contracts

(1,979,765)

-

(1,979,765)

 

Credit default swap

(54,306)

-

(54,306)

 

Total return swap

(1,222,546)

-

(1,222,546)

 

Total

(3,256,617)

-

(3,256,617)

 

 

31 DECEMBER 2019

(EXPRESSED IN US DOLLARS )

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

 

GROSS AMOUNTS OF RECOGNISED ASSETS

 

 

GROSS AMOUNTS OFFSET IN THE STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

NET AMOUNTS OF RECOGNISED ASSETS PRESENTED IN THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

 
 

Forward currency contracts

457,083

(457,083)

-

 

Warrant

153

-

153

 

Total

457,236

(457,083)

153

 

 

Description

Gross Amounts of Recognised Liabilities

Gross Amounts Offset in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities

Net Amounts of Recognised LIABILITIES Presented in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 
 

Forward currency contracts

(1,347,864)

457,083

(890,781)

 

Credit default swap

(77,983)

-

(77,983)

 

Total

(1,425,847)

457,083

(968,764)

 

 

NOTE 4 - RISK FACTORS

 

The Company's investments are subject to various risk factors including market and credit risk, interest rate and foreign exchange risk, and the risks associated with investing in private securities. Investments in private securities and partnerships are illiquid, and there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to realise the value of such investments in a timely manner. Additionally, the Company's investments may be highly concentrated in certain industries. Non-U.S. dollar denominated investments may result in foreign exchange losses caused by devaluations and exchange rate fluctuations. In addition, consequences of political, social, economic, diplomatic changes or public health condition may have disruptive effects on market prices or fair valuations of foreign investments.

 

Market Risk

Market risk is the potential for changes in the value of investments. Categories of market risk include, but are not limited to, interest rates. Interest rate risks primarily result from exposures to changes in the level, slope and curvature of the yield curve, the volatility of interest rates and credit spreads. Details of the Company's investment Portfolio at 31 December 2020 and 31 December 2019 are disclosed in the Consolidated Condensed Schedule of Investments. Each separate investment exceeding 5% of net assets is disclosed separately.

 

Credit Risk

The Company may invest in a range of corporate and other bonds and other credit sensitive securities. Until such investments are sold or are paid in full at maturity, the Company is exposed to credit risk relating to whether the issuer will meet its obligations when the securities fall due. Distressed debt securities by nature are securities in companies which are in default or are heading into default and will expose the Company to a higher than normal amount of credit risk.

 

The Company may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in issuers located in a single country, a small number of countries, or a particular geographic region. As a result, the Company's performance may be closely aligned with the market, currency or economic, political or regulatory conditions and developments in those countries or that region, and could be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified investments. Refer to the Schedule of Investments above for concentration of credit risk.

 

The Company maintains positions in a variety of securities, derivative financial instruments and cash and cash equivalents in accordance with its investment strategy and guidelines. The Company's trading activities expose the Company to counterparty credit risk from brokers, dealers and other financial institutions (collectively, "counterparties") with which it transacts business. "Counterparty credit risk" is the risk that a counterparty to a trade will fail to meet an obligation that it has entered into with the Company, resulting in a financial loss to the Company. The Company's policy with respect to counterparty credit risk is to minimise its exposure to counterparties with perceived higher risk of default by dealing only with counterparties that meet the credit standards set out by the Investment Manager.

 

All the Company's cash and investment assets other than derivative financial instruments are held by the Custodian. The Custodian segregates the assets of the Company from the Custodian's assets and other Custodian clients. Management believes the risk is low with respect to any losses as a result of this concentration. The Company conducts its trading activities with respect to non-derivative positions with a number of counterparties. Counterparty credit risk borne by these transactions is mitigated by trading with multiple counterparties.

 

In addition, the Company may trade in OTC derivative instruments and in derivative instruments which trade on exchanges with generally a limited number of counterparties and as a consequence the Company is subject to counterparty credit risk related to the potential inability of counterparties to these derivative transactions to perform their obligations to the Company. The Company's exposure to counterparty credit risk associated with counterparty non-performance is generally limited to the fair value (derivative assets and liabilities) of OTC derivatives reported as net assets, net of collateral received or paid, pursuant to agreements with each counterparty. The Investment Manager attempts to reduce the counterparty credit risk of the Company by establishing certain credit terms in its International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) Master Agreements (with netting terms) with counterparties, and through credit policies and monitoring procedures. Under ISDA Master Agreements in certain circumstances (e.g. when a credit event such as a default occurs) all outstanding transactions under the agreement are terminated, the termination value is assessed and only a single net amount is due or payable in settlement of all transactions. The Company receives and gives collateral in the form of cash and marketable securities and it is subject to the ISDA Master Agreement Credit Support Annex. This means that securities received/given as collateral can be pledged or sold during the term of the transaction. The terms also give each party the right to terminate the related transactions on the other party's failure to post collateral. Exchange-traded derivatives generally involve less counterparty exposure because of the margin requirements of the individual exchanges.

 

Generally, these contracts can be closed out at the discretion of the Investment Manager and are governed by the futures and options clearing agreements signed with the future commission merchants ("FCMs"). FCMs have capital requirements intended to assure that they have sufficient capital to protect their customers in the event of any inadequacy in customer funds arising from the default of one or more customers, adverse market conditions, or for any other reason.

 

The credit risk relating to derivatives is detailed further in Note 3.

 

Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not be able to meet its obligations as and when these fall due.

 

Liquidity risk is managed by the Investment Manager so as to ensure that the Company maintains sufficient working capital in cash or near cash form so as to be able to meet the Company's ongoing requirements as these are budgeted for.

 

Coronavirus

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus in many countries, which remains a rapidly evolving situation, has, among other things, disrupted global travel and supply chains, and has adversely impacted global commercial activity, the transportation industry and commodity prices in the energy sector. The impact of this virus has negatively affected and may continue to affect the economies of many nations, individual companies and the global securities and commodities markets, including liquidity and volatility, in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the present time.   The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to its ultimate impact, which may have a continued adverse effect on economic and market conditions and trigger a period of global economic slowdown. Such conditions (which may be across industries, sectors or geographies) have impacted and may continue to impact the financial performance of the Company.

 

Other Risks

Legal, tax and regulatory changes could occur during the term of the Company that may adversely affect the Company. The regulatory environment for alternative investment vehicles is evolving, and changes in the regulation of alternative investment vehicles may adversely affect the value of investments held by the Company or the ability of the Company to pursue its trading strategies.

 

NOTE 5 - SHARE CAPITAL

 

The Company's authorised share capital consists of:

 

10,000 Class A Shares authorised, of par value $1 each (which carry no voting rights); and, an unlimited number of shares of no par value which may, upon issue, be designated as Ordinary Shares, Extended Life Shares or New Global Shares and Subscription Shares (each of which carry voting rights) or Capital Distribution Shares.

 

The issued share capital of the Company, which is denominated in US Dollars, consists of Ordinary Shares, Class A Shares and Extended Life Shares and in Pounds Sterling consists of New Global Shares. Shareholders of Ordinary Shares, Extended Life Shares and New Global Shares have the right to attend and vote at any general meeting of the Company. Class A shareholders do not have the right to attend and vote at a general meeting of the Company save where there are no other shares of the Company in issue.

 

The Class A Shares are held by Carey Trustees Limited (the "Trustee"), pursuant to a purpose trust established under Guernsey law. Under the terms of the NBDDIF Purpose Trust Deed, the Trustee holds the Class A Shares for the purpose of exercising the right to receive notice of general meetings of the Company but the Trustee shall only have the right to attend and vote at general meetings of the Company when there are no other shares of the Company in issue.

 

The original investment period expired on 10 June 2013 and a proposal was made to Ordinary Shareholders to extend the investment period by 21 months to 31 March 2015. A vote was held at a class meeting of shareholders on 8 April 2013 where the majority of shareholders voted in favour of the proposed extension.

 

Following this meeting and with the Ordinary Shareholders approval of the extension, a new class, the Extended Life Shares, was created and the Extended Life Shares were issued to 72% of initial Investors who elected to convert their Ordinary Shares to Extended Life Shares. The rest of investors remain invested on the basis of the existing investment period.

 

The New Global Share Class was created in March 2014 and its investment period ended on 31 March 2017.

 

At 31 December 2020, the Company had the following number of shares in issue:

 

31 December 2020

31 December 2019

Issued and fully paid up:

 

 

Class A Shares

2

2

Ordinary Share Class of no par value (Nil in treasury; 2019: Nil)

15,382,770

15,382,770

Extended Life Share Class of no par value (Nil in treasury; 2019: Nil)

80,545,074

114,146,794

New Global Share Class of no par value (Nil in treasury; 2019: Nil)

41,116,617

71,787,915

 

Reconciliation of the number of shares in issue in each class (excluding Class A) at 31 December 2020:

 

 

Ordinary

Shares

Extended Life Shares

New Global

Shares

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2019

15,382,770

114,146,794

71,787,915

201,317,479

Distributions during the year

-

(29,939,898)

(27,635,465)

(57,575,363)

Buybacks (Shares repurchased)

-

(3,661,822)

(3,035,833)

(6,697,655)

Balance at 31 December 2020 1

15,382,770

80,545,074

41,116,617

137,044,461

 

1 Balance of issued shares (less Treasury shares) used to calculate NAV

 

Reconciliation of the number of shares in issue in each class at 31 December 2019:

 

 

Ordinary

Shares

Extended Life Shares

New Global

Shares

Total

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at 31 December 2018

23,395,578

154,104,598

82,770,361

260,270,537

Distributions during the year

(8,012,808)

(37,527,305)

(10,032,446)

(55,572,559)

Buybacks (Shares repurchased)

-

(2,430,499)

(950,000)

(3,380,499)

Balance at 31 December 2019 1

15,382,770

114,146,794

71,787,915

201,317,479

 

1 Balance of issued shares (less Treasury shares) used to calculate NAV

 

Distributions

Set out below are details of the capital returns by way of compulsory partial redemptions approved during the year ended 31 December 2020 and year ended 31 December 2019.

 

 

2020

 

Ordinary Share Class

 

Extended Life Share Class

 

New Global Share Class

 

Distribution Amount

 

Number of Shares

Per Share Amount

Distribution Amount

 

Number of Shares

Per Share Amount

Distribution Amount

 

Number of Shares

Per Share

Amount

19 March 2020

-

-

-

$ 4,986,260

5,434,023

$ 0.9176

-

-

-

18 May 2020

-

-

-

$ 7,491,958

9,536,606

$ 0.7856

$ 9,136,423

11,206,038

$ 0.8153

30 June 2020

-

-

-

$ 10,491,960

14,969,269

$ 0.7009

$ 12,965,737

16,429,427

$ 0.7892

 

-

-

-

$22,970,178

29,939,898

-

$22,102,160

27,635,465

-

 

 

2019

 

Ordinary Share Class

 

Extended Life Share Class

 

New Global Share Class

 

Distribution Amount

 

Number of Shares

Per Share Amount

Distribution Amount

 

Number of Shares

Per Share Amount

Distribution Amount

 

Number of Shares

Per Share

Amount

1 April 2019

$ 7,991,975

8,012,808

$ 0.9974

$ 19,991,952

20,648,577

$ 0.9682

$ 8,535,657

7,198,961

$ 1.1857

27 August 2019

-

-

-

$ 4,991,952

5,418,379

$ 0.9213

$ 3,060,855

2,833,485

$ 1.0802

25 November 2019

-

-

-

$ 10,491,950

11,460,349

$ 0.9155

-

-

-

 

$7,991,975

8,012,808

-

$35,475,854

37,527,305

-

$11,596,512

10,032,446

-

 

 

Buybacks

Under the authority granted to the Directors at the 2019 and 2020 AGMs, between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2020, 3,661,822 Extended Life Shares were repurchased and cancelled by the Company for gross consideration of $1,857,098 and 3,035,833 New Global Shares were repurchased and cancelled by the Company for gross consideration of $2,017,495 (£1,578,657).

 

NOTE 6 - MATERIAL AGREEMENTS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Investment Management Agreement ("IMA")

The Board is responsible for managing the business affairs of the Company but delegates certain functions to the Investment Manager under an IMA dated 9 June 2010 (as amended).

 

On 17 July 2014, the Company, the Manager and the AIFM made certain classificatory amendments to their contractual arrangements for the purposes of the AIFM Directive. The Sub-Investment Management Agreement was terminated on 17 July 2014 and Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC (formerly Neuberger Berman Fixed Income LLC), which was the Sub-Investment Manager, was appointed as the AIFM per the amended and restated IMA dated 17 July 2014. Under this agreement, the AIFM is responsible for risk management and day-to-day discretionary management of the Company's Portfolios (including un-invested cash). The risk management and discretionary portfolio management functions are performed independently of each other within the AIFM structure. The AIFM is not required to, and generally will not, submit individual investment decisions for approval by the Board. The Manager, Neuberger Berman Europe Limited, was appointed under the same IMA to provide, amongst other things, certain administrative services to the Company. On 31 December 2017 the Company entered into an Amendment Agreement amending the IMA.

 

Per the IMA and in relation to the Ordinary Shares and Extended Life Shares, the Manager is entitled to a management fee, which shall accrue daily, and be payable monthly in arrears, at a rate of 0.125% per month of the respective NAVs of the Ordinary Share and Extended Life Share classes. Soft commissions are not used.

 

Per the IMA and in relation to the New Global Shares, the Manager is entitled to a management fee, which accrues daily, and is payable monthly in arrears, at a rate of 0.125% per month of the NAV of the New Global Share Class (excluding, until such time as the New Global Share Class is 85% invested, any cash balances (or cash equivalents)). The 85% threshold was crossed on 16 June 2015 and the Company is charged 0.125% per month on the NAV of the New Global Share Class.

 

The Manager waived its entitlement to any base fee calculated in respect to any cash and cash equivalents held by the Company that is solely attributable to the account of the Ordinary Shares, with such a waiver taking effect as at 1 October 2020. Effective 18 March 2021, the Manager waived its entitlement to all fees from the Company. For the year ended 31 December 2020, the management fee expense was $1,952,064 (31 December 2019: $3,428,612). At 31 December 2020, the management fee payable was $134,188 (31 December 2019: $493,060).

 

The Manager pays a fee to the AIFM out of the management fee received from the Company. The Company does not pay any fees directly to the AIFM.

 

Performance Fee

In addition, the Manager is entitled to a performance fee. The performance fee for Ordinary Shares, Extended Life Shares and New Global Shares (collectively the "Shares") will only become payable once the Company has made aggregate distributions in cash to the shareholders of the Shares (which shall include the aggregate price of all Shares repurchased or redeemed by the Company) equal to the aggregate gross proceeds from issuing Shares (the "Contributed Capital") plus such amounts as will result in the shareholders having received a realised (cash-paid) IRR in respect of the Contributed Capital equal to Preferred Return, following which there will be a 100% catch up payable to the Manager until the Manager has received 20% of all amounts in excess of Contributed Capital distributed to the shareholders and paid to the Manager as a performance fee with, thereafter, all amounts distributed by the Company 20:80 between the Manager's performance fee and the cash distributed to shareholders.

 

The preferred rate of return for Ordinary Shares is an annualised 6%, for Extended Life Shares was an annualised 6% from 2010 to April 2013 and is 8% from April 2013 to date and for New Global Shares is an annualised 8%. For the purposes of financial reporting, the performance fee is recognised on an accruals basis.

No performance fees were paid or payable in respect of any of the classes for the year ended 31 December 2020 or 31 December 2019, nor would any be paid if the Company were to realise all its assets at their carrying values at the year end.

 

Soft commissions are not used to pay for services used by the Investment Manager.

 

Administration, Company Secretarial and Custody Agreements

Effective 1 March 2015, the Company entered into an Administration and Sub-Administration Agreement with U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Guernsey) Limited and U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Ireland) Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp (the "Administration Agreement"). Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, Sub-Administration services are delegated to U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Ireland) Limited (the "Sub-Administrator"). The Sub-Administration Service Level Agreement was amended and approved on 21 February 2018.

 

The Sub-Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Company (including but not limited to the calculation and publication of the estimated daily NAV).

 

Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Sub-Administrator is entitled to a fee of 0.09% for the first $500m of net asset value, 0.08% for the next $500m and 0.07% for any remaining balance, accrued daily and paid monthly in arrears and subject to an annual minimum of $100,000.

 

Effective 1 March 2015, the Company entered into a Custody Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association (the "Custodian") to provide loan administration and custody services to the Company. Under the terms of the Custody Agreement the Custodian is entitled to an annual fee of 0.025% of net asset value with a minimum annual fee of $25,000.

 

Effective 20 June 2017, Carey Commercial Limited was appointed the Company Secretary. The Company Secretary is entitled to an annual fee of £65,800 plus fees for ad-hoc board meetings and additional services.

 

For the year ended 31 December 2020, the administration fee expense was $123,097 (31 December 2019: $211,457), the secretarial fee was $116,3141 of which $24,1101 was in relation to the administration of the ongoing buyback programme, (31 December 2019: $164,747) and the loan administration and custody fee expense was $55,840 (31 December 2019: $183,623). At 31 December 2020, the administration fee payable is $6,9082 (31 December 2019: $14,535), the secretarial fee payable is $49,5982 (31 December 2019: $86,256) and the loan administration and custody fee payable is $2,3112 (31 December 2019: $11,779).

 

Directors' Remuneration and Other Interests

The Directors are related parties and are remunerated for their services at a fee of $45,000 plus £10,000 each per annum ($60,000 plus £10,000 for the Chairman, $50,000 plus £10,000 for the Chairman of the Audit Committee). For the year ended 31 December 2020, the Directors' fees and travel expenses amounted to $194,9601 (31 December 2019: $253,482). Michael J. Holmberg, the non-independent Director, has waived the fees for his services as a Director. There were no other related interests for the year ended 31 December 2020.

1 Amount is included under Professional and other expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations

2 Amounts are included under Accrued expenses and other liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Consolidated Statement of Operations

The Company has not set any requirements or guidelines for Directors to own shares in the Company. The beneficial interests of the Directors and their connected persons in the Company's shares at 8 March 2021 are shown in the table below:

 

 

 

Director

No. of Ordinary Shares

No. of Extended Life Shares

No. of New Global Shares

Total No. of

Shares

John Hallam

-

73,753

49,450

123,203

Michael Holmberg

-

32,563

51,698

84,261

Christopher Legge

-

-

-

-

Stephen Vakil

-

-

26,974

26,974

 

NOTE 7 - FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

Ordinary

Shares

Extended Life Shares

New Global

Shares

Ordinary Shares

Extended Life

Shares

New Global

Shares

 

($)

($)

(£)

($)

($)

(£)

Per share operating performance

YEAR ended

31 December 2020

YEAR ended

31 December 2020

YEAR ended

31 December  2020

Year ended

31 DECEMBER 2019

Year ended

31 DECEMBER 2019

Year ended

31 DECEMBER 2019

 

 

 

 

(audited)

(audited)

(audited)

Net asset value per share at beginning of the year 0.9086 0.9266 0.8339 0.9778 0.9635 0.9206

Impact of share buybacks

-

0.0096

0.0063

-

0.0020

0.0015

Impact of share redemptions

-

(0.0029)

(0.0038)

(0.0022)

0.0008

(0.0009)

Income/(loss) from investment operations 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment (loss)/income  

(0.0195)

0.0121

0.0080

(0.0063)

0.0183

0.0098

Net realised and unrealised loss from investments and foreign exchange

(0.0471)

(0.1565)

(0.2762)

(0.0607)

(0.0580)

(0.0971)

  Total loss from investment operations

(0.0666)

(0.1444)

(0.2682)

(0.0670)

(0.0397)

(0.0873)

  Net asset value per share at end of the year

0.8420

0.7889

0.5682

0.9086

0.9266

0.8339

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Weighted average number of shares outstanding was used for calculation.

 

 

 

 

Ordinary

Shares

Extended Life

Shares

New Global Shares

Ordinary Shares

Extended Life

Shares

New Global Shares

 

($)

($)

(£)

($)

($)

(£)

 

NAV Total Return 1,2

YEAR ended

31 December 2020

YEAR ended

31 December 2020

YEAR ended

31 December 2020

Year ended

31 DECEMBER 2019

Year ended

31 DECEMBER 2019

Year ended

31 DECEMBER 2019

NAV Total Return before performance fee

(7.33%)

(14.86%)

(31.86%)

(7.08%)

(3.83%)

(9.42%)

Performance fee

-

-

-

-

-

-

NAV Total Return after performance fee including an income distribution by way of dividend

(7.33%)

(14.86%)

(31.86%)

(7.08%)

(3.83%)

(9.42%)

 

1 NAV Total Return is calculated for the Ordinary Shares, Extended Life Shares and New Global Shares only and is calculated based on movement in the NAV and does not reflect any movement in the market value of the shares. A shareholder's return may vary from these returns based on participation in new issues, the timing of capital transactions etc. It assumes that all income distributions of the Company, paid by way of dividend, were reinvested, without transaction costs. Class A shares are not presented as they are not profit participating shares.

2   An individual shareholder's return may vary from these returns based on the timing of the shareholder's subscriptions.

 

 

Ordinary

Shares

Extended Life

Shares

New Global Shares

Ordinary Shares

Extended Life

Shares

New Global Shares

Ratios to avErage net ASSETS

YEAR ended

31 December 2020

YEAR ended

31 December 2020

YEAR ended

31 December 2020

Year ended

31 DECEMBER 2019

Year ended

31 DECEMBER 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment income/(loss) before and after performance fees

(2.55%)

1.52%

1.25%

(0.66%)

1.92%

1.13%

Total expenses after performance fee

(2.89%)

(2.68%)

(2.76%)

(2.15%)

(2.21%)

(2.31%)

 

NOTE 8 - RECONCILIATION OF NET ASSET VALUE TO PUBLISHED NAV

 

In preparing the Financial Statements, there were adjustments relating to investment valuations and deferred tax. The impact of these adjustments on the NAV per Ordinary Share, Extended Life Share and New Global Share is detailed below:

 

 

 

Ordinary

Share Class Net Assets

($)

Ordinary

Share Class

NAV per Share

($)

Extended Life

Share Class

Net Assets

($)

Extended Life

Share Class NAV per Share

($)

New Global

Share Class

Net Assets

(£)

New Global

Share Class NAV per Share

(£)

Published net assets at 31 December 2020

12,945,021

0.8415

63,589,978

0.7895

22,938,029

0.5579

Deferred Tax adjustment

-

-

-

-

11,412

0.0003

Valuation adjustments

7,944

0.0005

(49,328)

0.0006

413,698

0.0100

Net assets per Consolidated Financial Statements

12,952,965

0.8420

63,540,650

0.7889

23,363,139

0.5682

 

 

 

Ordinary

Share Class Net Assets

($)

Ordinary

Share Class

NAV per Share

($)

Extended Life

Share Class

Net Assets

($)

Extended Life

Share Class NAV per Share

($)

New Global

Share Class

Net Assets

(£)

New Global

Share Class NAV per Share

(£)

Published net assets at 31 December 2019

13,976,415

0.9086

105,771,674

0.9266

59,934,598

0.8349

Deferred Tax adjustment

-

-

-

-

(71,816)

(0.0010)

Valuation adjustments

-

-

-

-

-

-

Net assets per Consolidated Financial Statements

13,976,415

0.9086

105,771,674

0.9266

59,862,782

0.8339

 

 

NOTE 9 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On 18 March 2021, the Company announced that, effective immediately, the Investment Manager had waived its entitlement to all fees from the Company. The Directors have evaluated subsequent events up to 14 April 2021, which is the date that the Consolidated Financial Statements were available to be issued, and have concluded there are no further items that require disclosure or adjustment to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | Contact Details

 

Contact Details

 

Directors

 

John Hallam (Chairman)

Michael Holmberg

Christopher Legge

Stephen Vakil

 

All c/o the Company's registered office.

 

Registered Office

 

1st & 2nd Floors, Elizabeth House

Les Ruettes Brayes

St Peter Port

Guernsey

GY1 1EW  

 

Company Secretary

 

Carey Commercial Limited

 

Alternative Investment Fund Manager

 

Neuberger Berman Investment Advisers LLC

 

Manager

 

Neuberger Berman Europe Limited

 

Custodian and Principal Bankers

 

US Bank National Association

 

Designated Administrator

 

U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Guernsey) Limited

 

Independent Auditor

 

KPMG Channel Islands Limited

 

Sub-Administrator

 

U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (Ireland) Limited

 

Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker

 

Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited until 13 September 2020

Jefferies International Limited after 13 September 2020

 

Solicitors to the Company (as to English law and U.S. securities law)

 

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

 

Advocates to the Company (as to Guernsey law)

 

Carey Olsen

 

Registrar

 

Link Market Services (Guernsey) Limited

 

UK Transfer Agent

 

Link Asset Services

34 Beckenham Road

Beckenham

Kent

BR3 4TU

United Kingdom

 

Shareholders holding shares directly and not through a broker, saving scheme or ISA and have queries in relation to their shareholdings should contact the Registrar on +44 (0)371 664 0445. (Calls are charged at the standard geographic rate and will vary by provider. Calls outside the United Kingdom will be charged at the applicable international rate. Lines are open between 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (excluding bank holidays)). Shareholders can also access their details via the Registrar's website:

www.signalshares.com .

 

  Full contact details of the Company's advisers and Manager can be found on the Company's website.

 

 

 

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