Half Yearly Report

RNS Number : 9180C
Polar Cap Gbl Healthcare Growth&IT
09 May 2012
 



POLAR CAPITAL GLOBAL HEALTHCARE GROWTH AND INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

Unaudited Results for the half year ended 31 March 2012

 

This announcement contains regulated information

9 May 2012

 

Key Points

Financial Highlights

 


(Unaudited)

Half Year ended

(Audited)

Period ended




31 March 2012

30 September 2011

% Change






Net asset value per ordinary share

Undiluted

114.93p

102.58p

        12.0%


Diluted

112.63p

102.18p

        10.2%





Share Price





                Ordinary shares


117.25p

106.25p

        10.4%

                Subscription shares (note 1)


14.75p

12.25p

        20.4%






Shares in issue






Ordinary

97,899,999

97,899,999



Subscription

17,800,000

17,800,000







Benchmark Index





MSCI ACWI/Healthcare Index (total return in Sterling with dividends reinvested)


13.12%

 

Net asset value per ordinary share (total return) (note 2)



 

12.98%





Total Expense Ratio for the half year ended 31 March 2012.

(Expense Ratio for the period 12 June 2010 to 30 September 2011: 1.27%)


1.09%


Dividends:


Pay date

Amount per ordinary share

Record date

Ex-date

Declared date



The Company has paid the following dividend relating to the financial year ended 30 September 2011:

30 Nov. 2011

0.46p

4 Nov.

 2011

2 Nov.

2011

26 Oct.

2011



The Company has paid the following dividend relating to the current financial year:

29 Feb.

2012

0.46p

10 Feb.

2012

8 Feb.

2012

26 Jan.

2012



The Company has declared the following dividend relating to the current financial year:

31 May 2012

0.46p

18 May 2012

16 May

2012

9 May 2012

 

Note 1. - Subscription shares were issued free to investors on the 15 June 2010 on the basis of one subscription share for every five ordinary shares

Note 2. - The total return NAV is calculated by reinvesting the dividend in the assets of the Company from the relevant pay dates, from a starting NAV per ordinary share of 98.0p

The Net Asset Value ("NAV") as at 15 June 2010 was 98.0p per ordinary share based on the subscription price of 100.0p per ordinary share and launch costs of 2.0p per ordinary share.


Chairman's statement

 

Performance

During the six months to 31 March 2012 your Company generated a total return of 13.0% which was slightly behind the benchmark which rose by 13.1% over the same period. Since inception in June 2010 we have achieved a total return of 21.9% compared to the benchmark return of 20.7%.This is broadly in line with our expectations at launch. Meanwhile our share price closed the period at 117.25p which represents a premium of 4.1% to diluted net asset value.

 

Dividends

As our name implies income is an important component of our total return. Dividends totalling 0.92p per share have been paid or declared in respect of the six months ended 31 March 2012 which compares with 0.80p for the corresponding period last year. Following the pattern set last year the dividends paid in February, May, and November are likely to be smaller than the dividend paid in August. The Company's policy remains to increase the dividend on an annual basis progressively but there can be no guarantee that this will be achieved.

 

Outlook

Our investment thesis that the imminent "patent cliff" was largely discounted in the share prices of the major pharmaceutical companies remains intact. Some companies like Pfizer, our largest holding, have produced better than expected results while others like AstraZeneca have disappointed. On balance there would however still appear to be considerable scope for a re-rating as the sector returns to growth driven by increased sales in emerging markets and successful pipeline progress. Meanwhile in the developed world the demographic profile of an ageing society should lead to increased demand for healthcare over the longer term.

 

James Robinson

Chairman

9 May 2012



Investment Manager's Report

For the six months to 31 March 2012, the Company delivered a total return of 13.0%, which was essentially in-line with the benchmark performance of 13.1% over the same period.

 

For the second half of calendar 2011, we were quite cautious on markets and positioned the portfolio defensively with a relatively high cash position.  During this period the healthcare sector significantly out-performed the broader stock markets - largely due to the strong performance of pharmaceutical stocks.  Given the sizeable weighting in large cap pharmaceuticals, the portfolio benefitted from this renewed interest.

 

At the beginning of January, we became more optimistic on the market outlook as there were signs that the U.S. economy was beginning to improve and lead economic indicators were beginning to turn.  In addition, the moves by the European Central Bank, while not a "solution" to Europe's problems, seemed to have alleviated the near-term concerns in the European financial sector. 

 

We adjusted the positioning of the portfolio to take advantage of an increase in risk appetite in the broader stock markets by increasing our weightings in the small/mid-cap companies in the growth portfolio.  In addition, we started the period with a significant cash position of 6.6% and ended with the portfolio almost fully invested.  As a result, we increased the beta of the portfolio but our weighting in large cap pharmaceuticals remained largely unchanged.

 

 

An increased risk appetite drove positive performance in the broader markets and so the healthcare sector was unsurprisingly a relative underperformer for the first three months of 2012. The pharmaceutical sector was the major laggard while certain sub-sectors, such as higher-risk biotechnology stocks (where we are significantly underweight versus our benchmark), had a very strong performance from January to March.

 

Our investment thesis for the pharmaceutical sector remains unchanged - we continue to see the potential for a re-rating as the sector returns to growth after the so-called "patent cliff".  The performance of the sector over the last year is supportive of our investment thesis but we see the recovery as a multi-year process.  In our view, the market has recognised the cost-cutting efforts across the sector, the solid cash flow and the potential for dividend growth.  Given the recent macroeconomic turmoil, pharmaceutical stocks have provided investors with a reasonably safe haven and solid dividend yield.  We believe that the next phase of performance will be driven by a dawning realisation that large pharmaceutical companies can return to growth - either from sales in emerging markets or from successful pipeline progress (or both).  We think progress over the next two years will be critical for confirming a resurgence of the pharmaceutical industry.

 

We will continue to maintain a high weighting in the large cap pharmaceutical sector - we expect at least 60% of the portfolio to be invested in the larger drug stocks throughout the life of the Company.  However, given the performance in 2011, especially in the last three weeks of the year, we were not surprised to see the drug sector consolidate some of these gains in the first quarter of 2012.   Our goal is to deliver a total return in the region of 10-12% per annum throughout the life of the Company - our current expectation is that the pharmaceutical sector should deliver this level of return in 2012.

 

Our income portfolio

The overall portfolio has essentially maintained the 80:20 split between the income and growth portfolios that we described in the original prospectus. The largest weighting in the income portfolio is in pharmaceuticals, where we have built significant positions in most of the major global pharmaceutical companies. The large pharmaceutical companies continue to offer some of the best dividend yields in healthcare and we see the potential for 4-5% dividend growth across the sector.

 

In terms of other income generating stocks, we have diversified the portfolio with investments in a number of medical device and healthcare service names that generate a good dividend yield.  We also have a series of investments in healthcare real estate investment trusts (REITs) based in the US.  As expected, turnover of the income portfolio has been reasonably low, although we are always on the look-out for new income producing names.

 

The major contributors to portfolio performance during the reporting period were Pfizer, Merck, GlaxoSmithKline and Bristol-Myers.  In the second half of 2011, the concerns over macroeconomic risks led generalist investors to look to the drug sector for defensive growth and, probably more importantly, solid dividend yield.  Pfizer is the largest position in the portfolio - the stock was up 27% over the reporting period and was therefore the most significant contributor to performance.  Despite the company's largest selling product (cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor) losing patent protection in November 2011, the company guided to flat to modest EPS growth in 2012 and announced a 10% increase in the dividend.  In our view, Pfizer's focus on cost control and capital allocation, especially the company's willingness to divest non-core assets, has begun to be reflected in its valuation. Pfizer seems to have regained its status as the "go to" healthcare stock for generalist investors when the market environment is difficult. 

 

While the weighting in large pharmaceutical stocks was largely unchanged, we made some changes in the underlying positions.  After an impressive performance in the middle of 2011, we took some profits and significantly reduced the position in Bristol-Myers.  We also reduced the positions in AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche and Sanofi.  We added to the positions in Merck and Novartis and opened a position in Takeda, the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan.

 

The best performer in the income portfolio during the period was Sabra Healthcare, a US-based REIT.  Sabra has a very high exposure to the skilled nursing facility (SNF) sub-sector of healthcare facilities.  The reimbursement for SNF providers was cut significantly in the summer of 2011 and this raised concerns that providers would be unable to pay their rent.  As a result, shares in Sabra were down almost 35% in July 2011.  However, we believed that there was scope for providers to cut costs and that the concerns regarding rent coverage were overdone; we increased our position at the end of September and our investment thesis played out with the stock up 75% over the six months to 31 March.

 

Our growth portfolio

For the growth portfolio, we currently have 41 holdings in a range of biotechnology, device, service and pharmaceutical stocks.  There is a slight bias towards larger market capitalisation names - nearly 45% of the growth book is invested in companies with a market capitalisation greater than $5 billion.  The turnover in this part of the portfolio has been, and is likely to be, much higher than the income portfolio. 

 

As noted above, our weighting in biotechnology names is low - at the end of March our weighting in biotechnology stocks for the entire portfolio was 3.0% compared to a benchmark weighting of 7.8%.  While we like the high risk/reward biotechnology sector, our intention is to limit our exposure here as we intend to manage the growth portfolio reasonably cautiously.  In terms of underlying stock performance, our best and worst performers for the growth portfolio were in the biotechnology sector.  Both Targacept and Endocyte reported disappointing clinical data during the period with the holdings in the portfolio down 52% and 69%, respectively - these positions have now been sold.  On the positive side, we benefitted from the strong rally in the biotechnology sector in January - the holdings in Clovis Oncology, Ariad and Dynavax were all up at least 60% during the reporting period.

 

Other notable positive contributors in the growth book have been medical device names Zoll Medical and Optos.  Zoll Medical is one of the leading providers of defibrillators in the US.  Its new product, the LifeVest, is the first wearable defibrillator for patients at risk of a life-threatening cardiac arrest.  In the middle of March, the company announced that it had agreed to be acquired by Asahi Kasei.  We had added the stock to the portfolio during December and made a 50% return on the investment.  Optos is one of our favourite small UK-based medical technology companies with innovative diagnostic technology for ophthalmology.  The company announced the launch of its new diagnostic system, the Daytona, in October last year.   The stock was up over 70% during the reporting period as the initial feedback from customers has been very positive with the company reporting a strong order book in its March trading statement.

 

Within the growth book, over the last eighteen months, we have built a small diversified portfolio of investments in companies with a market capitalisation below $200 million. We view these investments as high risk/reward opportunities where we can take some liquidity risk and a longer-term investment horizon - two benefits of a closed-end fund. While we acknowledge that there may be some failures in this part of the portfolio, we would expect these to be more than offset by significant returns from any successful investments. We now have investments in ten companies that account for 3.2% of the entire portfolio. We expect to add one or two additional companies over the coming months but do not anticipate that this part of the portfolio will comprise more than 5% of the total portfolio at the time of investment. Moreover, given that we view each of these as a circa five-year investment, we do not expect to add to this part of the portfolio after the end of 2012 given that the Trust is expected to wind up in 2018.

 

Our best performer in this part of the portfolio was Synairgen.  Synairgen is a small UK biotechnology company that is focused on new asthma treatments.  It has developed an inhaled formulation of beta-interferon to protect asthmatic patients from respiratory viral infections (such as the common cold).  The stock rallied over 75% during the reporting period in anticipation of data from an ongoing Phase II trial - the company subsequently reported a positive outcome to this study in the middle of April. 

 

Outlook

We remain optimistic on the outlook for the healthcare sector.  An improvement in the US economy should bode well for many healthcare sub-sectors as volumes may be stronger than expected - especially as companies have guided reasonably conservatively this year. 

 

We expect some volatility over the coming months as the US Presidential election race reaches a conclusion - we expect healthcare to be an important debating topic.  Moreover, the Supreme Court will soon make a ruling on the constitutional aspects of President Obama's healthcare reform law. The two key issues are whether the Federal government has the power to force individuals to buy health insurance, the so-called individual mandate, and whether its plan to extend Medicaid from 100% to 133% of the poverty level was an act of coercion (since Medicaid is provided by State governments). If the Supreme Court decides that the individual mandate is unconstitutional then it must also determine whether the entire healthcare reform law should also be struck out.  A ruling is expected by the end of June but the outcome is difficult to predict. Our view is that there is a good chance that the individual mandate may be ruled unconstitutional but that the rest of the law is likely to stand. Despite the volatility around the Supreme Court debate, we think the US political risk is reasonably low as the Presidential election is likely to focus far more on the economy rather than on healthcare and it is unlikely we will see any major new legislation in an election year.

 

On a global perspective, we believe that government austerity measures have accelerated the need to address healthcare inefficiency.  In our view, there is a willingness to pay a premium for new technologies that improve clinical outcomes and/or reduce the costs of healthcare.  Therefore, when looking for growth in healthcare, our focus remains on companies with products and services that deliver better (or even the same) healthcare for less money. 

 

The pharmaceutical sector is unlikely to outperform in the context of a strengthening economy and rallying stock market but the industry as a whole continues to make steady progress and we remain confident in our long-term investment thesis.  More importantly, this is the peak year for patent expirations and as investors begin to look forward into 2013 the patent cliff will be behind many of the larger companies. 

 

Dr Daniel Mahony and Mr Gareth Powell

Polar Capital LLP

9 May 2012



Risks and uncertainties

The Directors consider that the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the group for the remaining six months of the financial year, which could have a material impact on performance, are consistent with those outlined in the report and financial statements for the period  ended 30 September 2011. 

 

These principal risks can be summarised as market volatility, stock pricing and liquidity risk, currency and interest rate risk, counterparty risk, and differing economic cycles between different markets.

 

The investment manager's report comments on the outlook for market related risks.

 

The Company's risk management framework is a structured process for identifying, assessing and managing the risks associated with the Company's business.  The investment portfolio is diversified by geography, which mitigates risk, but is focused on the Healthcare sector and has a high proportion of investments listed on US markets or exposed to the US Dollar.

 

 

Directors' Responsibility Statement

The Directors of Polar Capital Global Healthcare Growth and Income Trust plc, who are listed in the Company  Information Section, confirm to the best of their knowledge that:

 

·     the condensed set of financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 as adopted by the European Union; 

 

·     the Interim Management Report (constituting the Investment Manager's report) includes a fair review of the information required by the Disclosure and Transparency Rules 4.2.7R;

 

·     in accordance with DTR 4.2.8R there have been no new related party transactions during the six month period to 31 March 2012 and therefore nothing to report on any material effect by such transactions on the financial position or performance of the Company during that period. There have been no changes in any related party transaction described in the last annual report that could have a material effect on the financial position or performance of the Company in the first six months of the current financial year.

The half year report for the six months ended 31 March 2012 has not been audited or reviewed by the auditors.

 

The financial report for the six months ended 31 March 2012 was approved by the Board on 8 May 2012 and the responsibility statement was signed on its behalf by J P Robinson, Chairman of the Board.

 

 

James Robinson

Chairman

9 May 2012



 

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the half year ended 31 March 2012

 


(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

 


Half year ended 31 March 2012

Period ended 31 March 2011

Period ended 30 Sept 2011

 


Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total

Revenue

Capital

Total

 


return

return

return

return

return

return

return

return

return

 

 

Notes

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

 

Investment income

2

2,316

149

2,465

2,714

265

2,979

4,512

281

4,793

Other operating income

2

310

-

310

382

-

382

747

-

747

Gains on investments held at fair value

-

11,128

11,128

-

3,964

3,964

-

3,636

3,636

Other movements on written options

-

78

78

-

(5)

(5)

-

(89)

(89)

Other currency losses

-

(121)

(121)

-

(515)

(515)

-

(610)

(610)

Total income

2,626

11,234

13,860

3,096

3,709

6,805

5,259

3,218

8,477

Expenses


Investment management fee

(92)

(363)

(455)

(119)

(474)

(593)

(204)

(814)

(1,018)

Other administrative expenses

(139)

-

(139)

(344)

-

(344)

(510)

-

(510)

Total expenses

(231)

(363)

(594)

(463)

(474)

(937)

(714)

(814)

(1,528)

Profit before finance costs and tax

2,395

10,871

13,266

2,633

3,235

5,868

4,545

2,404

6,949

Finance costs

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

(1)

(1)

 

Profit before tax

2,395

10,871

13,266

2,633

3,235

5,868

4,545

2,403

6,948

Tax

(261)

(3)

(264)

(304)

(5)

(309)

(549)

46

(503)

Net profit for the period and total comprehensive income

2,134

10,868

13,002

2,329

3,230

5,559

3,996

2,449

6,445

Earnings per ordinary share (basic) (pence)

3

2.18

11.10

13.28

2.61

3.62

6.23

4.37

2.68

7.05

Earnings per ordinary share (diluted) (pence)

3

2.15

10.95

13.10

2.60

3.60

6.20

4.34

2.66

7.00


The total column of this statement represents the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted by the European Union. 

The revenue return and capital return columns are supplementary to this and are prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies. 

All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

The net profit for the period of the Company was £13,002,000 (31 March 2011:  £5,559,000 and 30 September 2011:  £6,445,000).

All income is attributable to the equity holders of Polar Capital Healthcare Growth & Income Trust plc.  There are no minority interests.

The Group does not have any Other Comprehensive Income and hence the net profit, as disclose above, is the same as the Group's total Comprehensive Income.

The notes on pages 14 to18 form part of these financial statements.

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the half year ended 31 March 2012


(Unaudited) Half year ended 31 March 2012


Called up

share capital

Share premium reserve

Special distributable reserve

Capital reserves

Revenue reserve

Total

Group

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Total equity at 30 September 2011

     24,653

     7,365

           64,792

       2,449

       1,165

   100,424

Total comprehensive income:







Profit for the period to 31 March 2012

            -  

          -  

                  -  

     10,868

       2,134

     13,002

Transactions with owners, recorded directly to equity:






Share issue costs

            -  

(10)

                  -  

             -  

             -  

(10)

Equity dividends paid

            -  

          -  

                  -  

             -  

(900)

(900)

Total equity at 31 March 2012

24,653

7,355

64,792

13,317

2,399

112,516









(Unaudited) Period ended 31 March 2011


Called up share capital

Share premium reserve

Special distributable reserve

Capital reserves

Revenue reserve

Total

Group

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Total equity at 12 May 2010

            -  

          -  

                  -  

             -  

             -  

             -  

Total comprehensive income:







Profit for the period to 31 March 2011

            -  

          -  

                  -  

3,230

2,329

5,559

Transactions with owners, recorded directly to equity:






Issue of 91,000,000 ordinary shares

22,750

66,560

                  -  

             -  

             -  

89,310

          178

(178)

                  -  

             -  

             -  

             -  

Transfer of Share Premium to Special Distributable Reserve


(64,792)

           64,792

             -  

             -  

             -  

Equity dividends paid

            -  

          -  

                  -  

             -  

(712)

(712)

Total equity at 31 March 2011

22,928

1,590

64,792

3,230

1,617

94,157




(Audited) Period ended 30 September 2011


Called up share capital

Share premium reserve

Special distributable reserve

Capital reserves

Revenue reserve

Total

Group

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

Total equity at 12 May 2010

            -  

          -  

                  -  

             -  

             -  

             -  

Total comprehensive income:







Profit for the period to 30 September 2011

            -  

          -  

                  -  

       2,449

       3,996

       6,445

Transactions with owners, recorded directly to equity:






Issue of 97,899,999 ordinary shares

     24,475

   74,133

                  -  

             -  

             -  

     98,608

Issue of 17,800,00 subscription shares

          178

(178)

                  -  

             -  

             -  

             -  

Share issue costs

            -  

(1,798)

                  -  

             -  

             -  

(1,798)

Transfer of Share Premium to Special Distributable Reserve


(64,792)

           64,792

             -  

             -  

             -  

Equity dividends paid

            -  

          -  

                  -  

             -  

(2,831)

(2,831)

Total equity at 30 September 2011

     24,653

     7,365

           64,792

       2,449

       1,165

   100,424








The notes on pages 14 to18 form part of these financial statements.




14

Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2012





(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)



31 March 2012

31 March 2011

30 Sept 2011


Notes

£'000

£'000

£'000

Non current assets





Investments held at fair value


112,107

91,347

93,903






Current assets





Other receivables


1,791

762

455

Cash and cash equivalents


4,070

2,903

6,839



5,861

3,665

7,294






Total assets


117,968

95,012

101,197






Current liabilities





Other payables


(5,450)

(803)

(638)

Fair value of open derivative contracts


(2)

(52)

(135)



(5,452)

(855)

(773)






Net assets


112,516

94,157

100,424






Equity attributable to equity shareholders





Called up share capital


24,653

22,928

24,653

Share premium reserve


7,355

1,590

7,365

Special distributable reserve


64,792

64,792

64,792

Capital reserves


13,317

3,230

2,449

Revenue reserve


2,399

1,617

1,165






Total equity


112,516

94,157

100,424






Net asset value per ordinary share (pence)

4

114.93

103.47

102.58






Net asset value per ordinary share (diluted) (pence)

4

112.63

102.90

102.18

 

The notes on pages 14 to18 form part of these financial statements.

 

 



 

Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the half year ended 31 March 2012


(Unaudited)

(Audited)


Half year ended

Period ended

Period ended


31 March 2012

31 March 2011

30 Sept 2011


£'000

£'000

£'000

Cash flows from operating activities




Profit before finance costs and tax

13,266

5,868

6,949

Adjustment for non-cash items:




Gain on investments held at fair value through profit or loss

(11,128)

(3,964)

(3,636)

Adjusted profit before finance costs and tax

2,138

1,904

3,313





Adjustments for:




Purchases of investments, including transaction costs

(32,239)

(118,614)

(144,999)

Sales of investments, including transaction costs

29,034

31,455

54,971

Increase in receivables

(617)

(417)

(319)

Increase in payables

84

412

534

Overseas tax deducted at source

(259)

(435)

(639)





Net cash used in operating activities

(1,859)

(85,695)

(87,139)





Cash flows from financing activities




Issue of share capital (net of issue costs)

(10)

89,310

96,810

Equity dividends paid

(900)

(712)

(2,831)

Finance costs paid

-

-

(1)





Net cash (used in)/from financing activities

(910)

88,598

93,978





Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents

(2,769)

2,903

6,839





Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

6,839

-

-





Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

4,070

2,903

6,839





The notes on pages 14 to18 form part of these financial statements



Notes to the financial statements for the half year ended 31 March 2012

1

General Information


The consolidated financial statements comprise the unaudited results for Polar Capital Global Healthcare Growth & Income Trust Plc and its subsidiary, Polar Capital Global Healthcare Finance Limited, for the six month period to 31 March 2012.  The unaudited financial statements to 31 March 2012 have been prepared using the accounting policies used in the Group's financial statements to 30 September 2011. These accounting policies are based on International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), which comprise standards and interpretations approved by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") and the International Accounting Standards Committee ("IASC"), as adopted by the European Union.

 


The financial information in this Half Year Report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.  The financial information for the periods ended 31 March 2012 and 31 March 2011 has not been audited. The figures and financial information for the period ended 30 September 2011 are an extract from the latest published accounts and do not constitute statutory accounts for that year. Full statutory accounts for the period ended 30 September 2011, prepared under IFRS, including the report of the auditors, which was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis and which did not contain a statement under section 498 of the Companies Act 2006, have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies.

 


The comparative periods to 31 March and 30 September 2011 are for the period from incorporation on 12 May 2010.  Figures covering a comparable six month period to 31 March 2011 have not been provided as it is considered impracticable to do so.

 


The Group's accounting policies have not varied from those described in the financial statements for the period ended 30 September 2011.

 


The financial statements are presented in Pounds Sterling and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£'000), except where otherwise stated.



2

Dividends and other income



(Unaudited)

(Audited)



For the half year ended 31 March 2012

For the period ended 31 March 2011

For the period ended 30 Sept 2011


Investment income

£'000

£'000

£'000


Revenue:





Franked: Listed investments





  Dividend income

1,862

595

958


Unfranked: Listed investments





  Dividend income

454

2,119

3,554


Total investment income

2,316

2,714

4,512


Capital:





Special dividends allocated to capital

31

209

225


Dividends from REITs allocated to capital

118

56

56


Special dividends allocated to capital

149

265

281







Other operating income





Option premium income

309

380

744


Bank interest

1

2

3


Total other operating income

310

382

747



3

Earnings per ordinary share






(Unaudited)

(Audited)



For the half year ended 31 March 2012

For the period ended 31 March 2011

For the period ended 30 Sept 2011


Basic earnings per share

£'000

£'000

£'000


Net profit for the period:





Revenue

2,134

2,329

3,996


Capital

10,868

3,230

2,449


Total

13,002

5,559

6,445


Weighted average number of shares in issue during the period

97,899,999

89,311,419

91,406,144


Revenue

2.18p

2.61p

4.37p


Capital

11.10p

3.62p

2.68p


Total

13.28p

6.23p

7.05p








(Unaudited)

(Audited)



For the half year ended 31 March 2012

For the period ended 31 March 2011

For the period ended 30 Sept 2011


Diluted earnings per share

£'000

£'000

£'000


Net profit for the period:





Revenue

2,134

2,329

3,996


Capital

10,868

3,230

2,449


Total

13,002

5,559

6,445


Diluted number of shares in issue during the period

99,280,849

89,612,402

92,029,651


Revenue

2.15p

2.60p

4.34p


Capital

10.95p

3.60p

2.66p


Total

13.10p

6.20p

7.00p


 

The calculation of the diluted total, revenue, and capital returns per ordinary share are carried out in accordance with IAS 33"Earnings per Share". For the purposes of calculating diluted returns per ordinary share, the number of ordinary shares is the weighted average used in the basic calculation, plus the number of ordinary shares deemed to be issued for no consideration on exercise of all subscription shares by reference to the average share price of the ordinary shares during the year.

 

4

Net asset value per ordinary share



(Unaudited)

(Audited)



As at 31 March 2012

As at 31 March 2011

As at 30 Sept 2011



£'000

£'000

£'000


Undiluted:





Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders (£'000)

112,516

94,157

100,424


Ordinary shares in issue at end of period

97,899,999

91,000,000

97,899,999


Net asset value per ordinary share (pence)

114.93

103.47

102.58


Diluted:





Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders (£'000)

130,316

111,957

118,224


Ordinary shares in issue at end of period if subscription shares converted

115,699,999

108,800,000

115,699,999


Net asset value per ordinary share (pence)

112.63

102.90

102.18


 

The diluted net asset value per ordinary share has been calculated on the assumption that 17,800,000 subscription shares in issue were converted at 100 pence per share, resulting in a total number of shares in issue of 115,699,999 (31 March 2011:  108,800,00 and 30 September 2011:  115,699,999).



5

Dividends


The second interim dividend of 0.46 pence per Ordinary share will be paid on 31 May 2012 to shareholders on the register at 18 May 2012. A first interim dividend of 0.46 pence per Ordinary Share was paid on 29 February 2012. In total, dividends of 0.92 pence per share have been paid or declared for the six months ended 31 March 2012.



6

Related party transactions


There have been no related party transactions that have materially affected the financial position or the performance of the Group during the six month period to 31 March 2012.


 

PORTFOLIO 


Stock

Country

Market Value £'000

% of total investments




31 March

2012

30 Sept. 2011

31 March

2012

30 Sept. 2011

1 (3)

Pfizer

United States

9,565

8,228

        8.5%

8.2%

2 (1)

GlaxoSmithKline

United Kingdom

8,641

9,328

        7.7%

9.3%

3 (7)

Novartis

Switzerland

8,640

5,021

       7.7%

5.0%

4 (6)

Merck & Co

United States

8,405

5,353

        7.5%

5.3%

5 (4)

Roche Holding

Switzerland

7,071

7,792

       6.3%

7.8%

6 (5)

Eli Lilly

United States

5,040

5,479

        4.5%

5.5%

7 (2)

Bristol Myers Squibb

United States

4,436

8,254

        3.9%

8.2%

8 (11)

Astellas Pharma

Japan

4,396

3,184

       3.9%

3.2%

9 (10)

Abbott Labs

United States

3,915

3,284

3.5%

3.3%

10 (13)

Johnson & Johnson

United States

3,303

1,635

        2.9%

1.6%

Top 10 investments


63,412


56.4%


11 (9)

AstraZeneca

United Kingdom

3,224

4,157

        2.9%

4.1%

12

Takeda Pharmaceutical

Japan

2,772

-

        2.5%

-

13 (8)

Sanofi

France

2,426

4,250

        2.2%

4.2%

14 (12)

Consort Medical

United Kingdom

2,198

1,820

        1.9%

1.8%

15 (14)

Sonic Healthcare

Australia

1,816

1,593

        1.6%

1.6%

16 (19)

Allergan

United States

1,493

1,058

        1.3%

1.1%

17 (22)

Health Care REIT

United States

1,375

901

        1.2%

0.9%

18 (17)

Bayer

Germany

1,318

1,064

        1.2%

1.1%

19 (44)

St Jude Medical

United States

1,165

372

        1.0%

0.4%

20

Teva Pharmaceutical

Israel

1,128

-

        1.0%

-

Top 20 investments


82,327

       

73.2%


21 (15)

Baxter International

United States

1,122

1,082

        1.0%

1.1%

22 (20)

UnitedHealth Group

United States

1,107

1,035

        1.0%

1.0%

23 (25)

Senior Housing Property

United States

1,104

830

        1.0%

0.8%

24

Hologic

United States

1,079

-

        1.0%

-

25 (26)

National Health Investors

United States

1,066

677

        0.9%

0.7%

26 (24)

Covidien

Ireland

1,060

877

        0.9%

0.9%

27 (29)

Omega Healthcare

United States

998

613

        0.9%

0.6%

28

Cardinal Health

United States

944

-

        0.8%

-

29 (32)

Sabra Healthcare REIT

United States

875

520

        0.8%

0.5%

30 (21)

Alexion Pharmaceuticals

United States

872

925

        0.8%

0.9%

Top 30 investments


92,554

      

82.3%


31 (46)

Healthcare Realty Trust REIT

United States

826

324

        0.7%

0.3%

32 (36)

Optos

United Kingdom

795

447

        0.7%

0.4%

33

Medical Facilities

Canada

789

-

       0.7%

-

34 (31)

Cyberonics

United States

716

544

        0.6%

0.5%

35

Endologix

United States

619

-

        0.6%

-

36

Incyte Genomics

United States

604

-

        0.5%

-

37

Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Ireland

596

-

        0.5%

-

38 (38)

Extendicare Real Estate

Canada

591

431

        0.5%

0.4%

39 (45)

Futura Medical

United Kingdom

564

335

        0.5%

0.3%

40 (40)

Air Methods

United States

546

408

        0.5%

0.4%

Top 40 investments


99,200

       

88.1%


41

Insulet

United States

539

-

        0.5%

-

42 (28)

Coltene Holding

Switzerland

537

617

        0.5%

0.6%

43

Biomarin Pharmaceutical

United States

535

-

      0.5%

-

44

Medical Properties Trust

United States

523

-

        0.5%

-

45 (42)

Healthcare Services Group

United States

511

397

        0.5%

0.4%

46

United Drug

Ireland

496

-

        0.4%

-

47 (41)

Meridian Biosciences

United States

485

404

        0.4%

0.4%

48 (39)

NIB Holdings

Australia

480

428

       0.4%

0.4%

49 (52)

Hutchison China Meditech

China

467

288

        0.4%

0.3%

50

Amerigroup

United States

463

-

        0.4%

-

Top 50 investments


104,236

        

92.6%


51 (55)

Synairgen

United Kingdom

457

241

        0.4%

0.2%

52

Trius Therapeutics

United States

455

-

        0.4%

-

53

Epistem Holdings

United Kingdom

454

-

        0.4%

-

54 (33)

Asahi Intecc

Japan

439

480

        0.4%

0.5%

55

Health Management Associates

United States

420

-

        0.4%

-

56

Agilent Technologies

United States

418

-

        0.4%

-

57

China Kanghui Holdings

China

417

-

        0.4%

-

58 (34)

Humana

United States

405

467

        0.4%

0.5%

59

Novadaq Technologies

Canada

401

-

        0.4%

-

60 (48)

Emeritus

United States

387

297

      0.3%

0.3%

Top 60 investments


108,489

        

96.5%


61

Five Star Quality Care

United States

358

-

        0.3%

-

62 (49)

AmSurg

United States

357

294

        0.3%

0.3%

63

Oxford Pharmascience

United Kingdom

350

-

        0.3%

-

64

Dynavax Technologies

United States

349

-

        0.3%

-

65

Greenway Medical Technologies

United States

335

-

        0.3%

-

66

EOS Imaging

France

298

-

        0.3%


67 (47)

Stentys

France

270

298

        0.2%

0.3%

68 (43)

Circle Holdings

United Kingdom

256

389

        0.2%

0.4%

69 (35)

HCP

United States

247

450

        0.2%

0.4%

70

Nobel Biocare

Switzerland

235

-

        0.2%

-

Top 70 investments


111,544

        

99.1%


71 (59)

Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical

Japan

208

182

        0.2%

0.2%

72 (61)

Leisureworld Senior Care

Canada

153

128

        0.1%

0.1%

73 (60)

Sul America

Brazil

145

133

        0.1%

0.1%

74 (62)

Oxford Biomedica

United Kingdom

57

97

        0.1%

0.1%

Total equities


112,107

        

99.6%


Options - (Put & Call)


(2)


               -  


Total Investments


112,105


   99.6%


Other net assets  (excluding options)


411


        0.4%


Net Assets


112,516


  100.0%


 



 

Geographical Exposure as at

31 March 2012

%

30 Sept. 2011

%

United States

51.6

48.7

United Kingdom

15.1

16.6

Switzerland

14.6

13.4

Japan

6.9

3.9

France

2.7

4.5

Australia

2.0

2.0

Ireland

1.9

0.9

Canada

1.7

0.5

Germany

1.2

1.9

Israel

1.0

0.2

China

0.8

0.3

Brazil

0.1

0.1

Denmark

-

0.2

Sweden

-

0.2

Cash

0.4

6.6

Total

             100.0%

100.0%

 

Sector Exposure as at

31 March 2012

%

30 Sept. 2011

%

Pharmaceuticals

65.4

65.9

Healthcare Equipment

13.2

10.5

Specialised REITs

6.8

4.6

Biotechnology

3.0

4.2

Healthcare Services

2.6

3.4

Healthcare Facilities

2.4

1.1

Managed Healthcare

1.8

1.6

Healthcare Suppliers

1.5

1.0

Healthcare Distributors

1.3

0.6

Life Sciences Tools & Services

0.8

-

Life & Health Insurance

0.4

0.4

Healthcare Technology

0.3

-

Multi-line Insurance

0.1

0.1

Cash

0.4

6.6

Total

             100.0%

100.0%

 

Market Capitalisation of investments as at

31 March 2012

%

30 Sept. 2011

%

Large (greater than 5$bn)

77.9

84.0

Medium (1$bn - 5$bn)

8.3

5.5

Small (less than 1$bn)

13.8

10.5

 Total

100.0%

100.0%

 

 



COMPANY INFORMATION

Profile

The Company was incorporated on 12 May 2010.  On 15 June 2010, it issued ordinary shares plus one subscription share for every five ordinary shares which were admitted to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.  The original subscription price for each ordinary share was £1 and the Net Asset Value ("NAV") per share on 15 June 2010 was 98p (after launch costs).

 

Investors may purchase shares through their stockbroker, bank or other financial intermediary.

 

Investment Objective

The Company's investment objective is to generate capital growth and income by investing in a global portfolio of healthcare stocks.

 

Investment Policy

The Company seeks to achieve this objective by investing in a diversified global portfolio consisting primarily of listed equities issued by healthcare companies involved in pharmaceuticals, medical services, medical devices and biotechnology.  The portfolio is diversified by geographic location and size of investee companies.

 

The full details of the investment policy are set out in the annual report.

 

Benchmark

The Benchmark is the MSCI ACWI/Healthcare Index total return in Sterling with dividends reinvested.

 

Capital Structure

At 31 March 2012, the Company had in issue 97,899,999 ordinary shares of 25p each and 17,800,000 subscription shares of 1p each.

 

The Company has not bought back any ordinary or subscription shares for cancellation in the half year up to 31 March 2012.

 

The subscription shares give the holders the right, but not the obligation, to subscribe for one ordinary share at 100p per ordinary share on 31 January 2014 after which the subscription rights will lapse.

 

Life

The Articles of Association require the Directors to put forward at the seventh Annual General Meeting a resolution to place the Company into liquidation.  The voting on that resolution will be enhanced such that, provided any single vote is cast in favour, the resolution will be passed.  The seventh AGM is expected to be held in January 2018.

 

Gearing

It is not intended that the Company incur borrowings to provide long-term structural debt.  No borrowings have been made and no arrangements made for any banking loans.  However, the Company may borrow up to 15% of its NAV at the time of drawdown for tactical deployment when the Board believes that gearing will enhance returns to shareholders.

 

Management

The investment manager is Polar Capital LLP and Dr Daniel Mahony and Mr Gareth Powell have managed the portfolio since launch. The Manager is entitled to a fee at the rate of 0.85% per annum of the lower of the Company's market capitalisation and the Company's net asset value.   80% of the management fee is charged to the capital account.

 

The investment manager is also entitled to a performance fee paid in cash.  The fee is equal to 10% of the excess return over the performance fee hurdle. The hurdle is 100p increased or decreased by reference to the return on the Benchmark plus 15p. The performance is adjusted for these purposes to take into account the dividends paid by the Company.  The fee is calculated and payable at the liquidation of the Company expected at the seventh AGM in January 2018.

 

Company Registration Number

7251471 (Registered in England)

The Company is an investment company as defined under Section 833 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

Directors

J P Robinson,   (Chairman)

J C Aston, OBE                                                  

A B Milford                                        

A D Brampton                                   

 

Investment Manager

Polar Capital LLP

4 Matthew Parker Street, London SW1H 9NP

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Telephone: 020 7227 2700 

www.polarcapital.co.uk

 

Fund Managers

Dr Daniel Mahony and Mr Gareth Powell

 

Secretary

Polar Capital Secretarial Services Limited represented by N P Taylor.

 

Registered Office

4 Matthew Parker Street

London SW1H 9NP

 

Company Website

www.polarcapitalhealthcaretrust.co.uk

The Company maintains a website which provides a wide range of information on the Company, monthly factsheets issued by the investment manager, and copies of announcements, including the annual and half year reports when issued.

 

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

 

COPIES

The Interim Report will be published on the Company's website at www.polarcapitalhealthcaretrust.co.uk and will be posted to shareholders in June 2012. Copies of this statement are also available from the Company's registered office at 4 Matthew Park Street London SW1H 9NP

 

ENDS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this Interim Report contain forward-looking information concerning the Company's strategy, operations, financial performance or condition, outlook, growth opportunities or circumstances in the countries, sectors or markets in which the Company operates. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve uncertainty because they depend on future circumstances, and relate to events, not all of which are within the Company's control or can be predicted by the Company.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Actual results could differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements. For a detailed analysis of the factors that may affect our business, financial performance or results of operations, we urge you to look at the principal risks and uncertainties included in the Annual Report for the financial period ended 30 September 2011 and the prospectus published by the Company on 30 January 2012.  No part of these results constitutes, or shall be taken to constitute, an invitation or inducement to invest in Polar Capital Global Healthcare Growth and Income Trust plc or any other entity, and must not be relied upon in any way in connection with any investment decision.  The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.


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