Annual Financial Report

RNS Number : 2362O
Securities Trust of Scotland PLC
26 May 2015
 



Securities Trust of Scotland plc (the "company")

 

Annual Financial Results

Year to 31 March 2015

 

The financial information set out below does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the financial year ended 31 March 2015 or financial year ended 31 March 2014 but is derived from those accounts.  Statutory accounts for 2014 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2015 will be delivered following the company's annual general meeting. 

 

The auditor's have reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) Companies Act 2006.

 

A copy of the annual report and accounts has also been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: www.Hemscott.com/nsm.do

 

The annual general meeting of the company will be held at 12.30pm on 31 July 2015, at Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2ES. Full notice of the meeting can be found within the annual report and accounts.

 

The unedited full text of those parts of the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2015, which are required to be published are set out on the following pages.

 

Financial Summary

 

Key data

As at

31 March 2015

As at

31 March 2014

% change

Net asset value per share (cum income)

152.93p

141.60p

8.0

Net asset value per share (ex income)

151.25p

140.40p

7.7

Share price

144.25p

144.75p

(0.4)

MSCI World High Dividend Yield index

725.63

665.22

9.1

Discount  / (Premium)

5.68%

(2.22%)


Average discount /(premium) *

5.49%

(2.85%)


 

Total returns (including reinvested dividends)


Year ended

31 March 2015

Year ended

31 March 2014

Net asset value per share

12.5%

3.3%

Share price

3.1%

2.2%

Benchmark**

13.4%

5.8%

 

Income





Year ended

31 March 2015

Year ended

31 March 2014

% change

Revenue return per share

5.11p

4.72p

8.3

Dividend per share

4.90p

4.80p

2.1

 

Ongoing charges^


Year ended

31 March 2015

Year ended

31 March 2014

Ongoing charges

1.0%

1.0%

 

*           Average discount / (premium) over 12 week period to 31 March (based on capital only net asset value).

‡          The combined effect of any dividend paid, together with the rise or fall in the share price, net asset or benchmark.  † MSCI World High Dividend Yield index.

**          MSCI World High Dividend Yield Index

^               Ongoing charges (as a percentage of shareholders' funds) are calculated using average net assets over the year. The ongoing charges figure has been calculated in line with the AIC's recommended methodology.

 

Chairman's Statement

 

Welcome to the annual report and accounts for the financial year ending 31 March 2015.  A positive return has been generated over the period and the net asset value ('NAV') increased 12.5% on a total return basis, marginally below the benchmark that delivered 13.4%. 

 

Over the year, many of the company's peers in the Association of Investment Companies ('AIC') sector have seen discounts widen and your company was not immune to this.  Although the share price increased 3.1% on a total return basis, the company moved from a premium at the start of the period to trade on a discount of 5.7% at the end.  This triggered a small number of share buy backs, representing less than 1.1% of the shares in issue, through the year.

 

However, 12 month performance only tells part of the story, and the company has generated a share price total return over five years that continues to be one of the highest in the AIC Global Equity Income sector at 75.1%.

 

Revenues and dividends

 

The board believes that the company should now use its authority to distribute some capital profit by way of dividend if so required and use the flexibility allowed by the investment trust structure to enhance the dividend.   As a result of this change of approach, the board has declared a fourth interim dividend of 1.45p, making a total of 4.90p over the year.  The dividend will be paid on 26 June 2015 to shareholders on the register at 5 June 2015.  The board intends to declare three equal interim dividends of 1.45p per share and a fourth interim dividend of at least 1.45p per share for the year end 31 March 2016. The aim is that the annual dividend will be progressive thereafter, in line with the company's investment objective of delivering rising income as well as long-term capital growth.

 

Payment of dividends from total returns rather than just income will not change the manager's investment philosophy and process. Portfolio yield remains at the core of that process, but it will no longer be the only factor generating a desired dividend. At the margin, this will allow the manager a little more flexibility on stock selection timing over the year.

 

Based on the company's share price of 141.5p as at 20 May 2015 (the most recent practicable date), the yield on the share price for the year to 31 March 2016 would be 4.1%.

 

Borrowing

 

Taking advantage of low interest rates, the loan facility was increased from £10 million to £17 million during the year and is for two years. The facility has been fully utilised through the year.  This strategy has proven successful and has contributed to an enhanced return.

 

Investment manager

 

The board fully supports the global remit of the company and believes that this allows the manager to select the best stocks from around the world, unencumbered by geographical constraints.  Martin Currie has a well resourced global active equity research team and income is one of the three central pillars of the investment product proposition.  The investment manager is planning to add to the number of income specialists and the board fully welcomes that commitment and looks forward to this extra capability driving future returns for shareholders. 

 

As mentioned in the interim report, Martin Currie is now an independently managed investment affiliate of Legg Mason (one of the world's largest asset management groups) and becomes the flagship international active equity business within the Legg Mason Group. The board is delighted that the new owner is strongly supportive of Martin Currie's investment trust business and welcomes the potential access to a wider distribution platform.

 

Under the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive ('AIFMD') the company was required to appoint an external depositary and an external AIFM who is supervised by the Financial Conduct Authority.  As disclosed in the interim report, the company appointed Martin Currie Fund Management Limited on 22 July 2014 as its AIFM, an associated company of Martin Currie Investment Management Limited. No changes are proposed to the way the company's assets are invested as a result of AIFMD.  References to Martin Currie or investment manager within this report refer to the services provided by Martin Currie Investment Management Limited or Martin Currie Fund Management Limited.

 

Board

 

On 1 October 2014, Mark Little was appointed to the board as a non-executive director.  Mark is well experienced in financial markets, having previously served as Managing Director of Barclays Wealth Scotland and Northern Ireland.  Prior to this he was global head of automotive research at Deutsche Bank.

 

Edward Murray will be retiring with effect from the conclusion of the annual general meeting ('AGM'), having served on the board since inception in 2005.  Edward will not immediately be replaced on the board and so the number of directors will reduce to five.  The board would like to thank Edward for his outstanding contribution to the board.  Mark will replace Edward as chairman of the audit committee.    

 

Keeping in touch

 

I would like to thank you again for your continued support. As ever, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding your company. Contact details can be found at the back of this report.

 

I encourage you to visit the company's website at www.securitiestrust.com which is a comprehensive source of detailed information.  You can register for regular email updates that will keep you informed and provide useful information on the company. 

 

Neil Donaldson

26 May 2015

 

 

Manager's Review

Market review

 

Global equity markets performed well in fiscal year 2015. The MSCI World High Dividend Yield index, our benchmark, was up around 13%. This compares with an increase of around 20% for the broad MSCI World Index and a rise of around 7% for the FTSE All-Share index (all returns in sterling terms). The strongest regions were North America and Japan, and the weakest was Europe. In sector terms, healthcare and technology led the field, while energy and materials brought up the rear.

 

The end of our fiscal year marks the passing of the sixth anniversary of the current global equity bull market, which has seen global equities increase by over 180%. Once again, there was plenty of macroeconomic and geopolitical noise throughout the year.

 

Inflation remains low in much of the world, causing some concern among central bankers. The European Central Bank launched a €1.1 trillion asset buying programme aimed at raising inflation. The Bank of Japan has adopted a 2% inflation target and launched a huge programme of bond purchases as Abenomics attempts to deliver price rises. Janet Yellen, the chairwoman of the US Federal Reserve, recently said that US interest rate rises are likely to happen only at a gradual pace, and commented that she would be uncomfortable about increases if core consumer prices or other inflation indicators were to weaken, or if inflation expectations were to drop further.

 

Currencies have remained volatile throughout the last year. The first quarter of 2015 was particularly active, with a surge in demand for the dollar, the start of quantitative easing in the eurozone and the Swiss Central Bank's dramatic abandonment of the franc's peg to the euro. Against sterling, the dollar has strengthened by around 10% and the euro has weakened by around 14% over the last 12 months. This has boosted the returns and income from our US holdings and had the opposite effect on our European ones. It has also had an impact on many of those that are global in nature and are therefore subject to such currency swings.

 

The oil price has been the key commodity feature of the year, with Brent crude reaching a 12-month high of around US$115 per barrel in June 2014 before collapsing to less than US$50 per barrel in January 2015. A lower oil price is seen as good for consumer spending as people have more cash in their pockets. The International Monetary Fund ('IMF'), however, believes that this is largely offset by the broader decline in commodities, which has created more uncertainty for corporate capital expenditure.

 

In geopolitical news, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the rise of ISIS, the Iran nuclear talks, the Syria crisis and tensions in Yemen are just some of the issues dominating headlines and causing uncertainty for investors.

 

We try to ensure that our portfolio is insulated as much as possible from macro-factor risk by building a diversified stock-focused portfolio. This does not mean the portfolio is risk-free, but that the risks are stock-driven. This approach is well suited to the current volatile macroeconomic and geopolitical environment.

 

Portfolio review

 

Performance

 

We marginally underperformed our benchmark for the full year. Our North American and UK holdings performed well, but this was not enough to offset our European (ex UK) and Asian performance. In sector terms, weak performances in healthcare and consumer discretionary had the biggest impact.

 

Our best performing stock was Kraft Foods Group; 3G Capital, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and their Heinz food business announced a merger with Kraft Foods Group in March 2015. The stock rose strongly in response, reflecting approval of the special dividend Heinz will pay on the closure of the deal, and the earnings power of the new joint entity - which will be a 49:51 ownership split between Kraft and Heinz. Our investment case on Kraft was based on a strong set of assets that could be made more relevant and enjoy a lower cost base - the new owners are likely to realise this potential. This merger is particularly pleasing for us as we also owned Heinz prior to its acquisition by 3G Capital and Buffett in 2013. Kinder Morgan, the US energy infrastructure company, was also one of our top performers. Kinder has benefited from executing on its simple strategy of focusing on stable, fee-based assets that are core to North American energy infrastructure, controlling costs and maintaining a strong balance sheet. In addition, the company altered its structure last year which lowered its cost of capital, allowing it to pursue more investment opportunities as well as offering greater dividend growth and visibility.

 

Our weakest performer was SJM Holdings, the Macau gaming operator. Gaming revenues have been under pressure over several quarters, driven by a weak Chinese macro economy and a changing political climate in China. This has somewhat compromised our investment case which was based on growing revenues. However, we believe that revenues will begin to grow again in the second half of 2015 as they undergo a cyclical rebound. This should put our investment case for SJM Holdings back on track. Swedish media entertainment company Modern Times Group was another poor performer for us last year as a consequence of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It has impacted both its business in that region as well as its ownership of a Russian media company. We felt that there was no way to predict the outcome of the crisis, so we sold the position.

 

Activity

 

Key purchases in the year included Givaudan and Caterpillar.

 

Givaudan is a global fragrance and flavours company. Our investment case rests on several short-term factors: a switch of some production from Switzerland to Hungary, and operational leverage guidance on which there is no consensus. The most important longer-term factor is dividends. Givaudan has a policy of paying out above 60% of its free cashflow while maintaining a leverage ratio below 25%. At the end of 2013, the leverage ratio was 18% and in March 2014 it paid out a dividend that was just over 50% of its 2013 cashflow. This means that Givaudan has a large margin of safety around its dividend both in terms of free cashflow generation and a balance sheet that is rapidly approaching a net cash position. Consequently, we believe that strong growth (of at least a high single-digit percentage) in the dividend is likely over the next few years, continuing a trend of 13 consecutive annual dividend increases since it was initiated.

 

Caterpillar is the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural-gas engines, industrial-gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. It has a large margin of safety around its dividend, given that it is covered approximately 3.0x by free cashflow, and corporate net debt is only around one-third of annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ('EBITDA'); this is why Caterpillar can afford large buybacks.  Our investment case rests on a couple of short-term factors: a switch of some production from Switzerland and the benefits of operational leverage, neither of which appear to be in consensus estimates.  In spite of the current weak commodity environment, we believe we are close to seeing an acceleration in this demand.

 

Key sales in the year included Modern Times Group and AbbVie.

 

Modern Times Group's emerging markets strategy was derailed in the first instance by the Russia/Ukraine conflict and in the second, by the Russian media regulator who changed the rules on foreign ownership of Russian media companies. This has compromised our investment thesis and has taken away our margin of safety around dividend growth.

 

AbbVie, the US pharmaceutical company, became a much higher-risk investment given the biosimilar (biological copies of original drugs) risk to its key drug Humira, the near-term battle for market share in the hepatitis-C market and the company's recently announced US$21 billion purchase of Pharmacyclics.

 

Outlook

 

Six years into the current bull market, the key positive supports to equity markets remain the relative yield attractions of equities versus other asset classes, and the anecdotal evidence that global fund managers lack conviction and hold high levels of cash. What is clear is that there is a lot of margin of safety around dividends but little around valuations in global equity markets in aggregate. Finding positive insight at the individual stock level is increasingly difficult, which is to be expected at this point of the stockmarket cycle. However, we continue to believe that a diversified portfolio of companies, combining attractive dividend yields and the potential for dividend growth, will stand us in good stead.

 

Alan Porter

26 May 2015

 

 

Portfolio Summary

 

Portfolio distribution as at 31 March

 

By region (excluding cash)

2015

2014

Developed Europe

47.5

 52.2

North America

             43.2

 37.8

Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan

              3.7

 6.0

Japan

              3.0

 2.5

Global emerging markets

2.6

 1.5


100.0

100.0

 

By sector (excluding cash)

2015

%

2014

%

Consumer goods

16

17

Healthcare

 15

 20

Financials

 15

 14

Consumer services

 14

 9

Oil & gas

 11

 14

Industrials

9

 6

Telecommunications

7

9

Basic materials

 7

 5

Utilities

5

 4

Technology

 1

 2


100

100

 

By asset class (including cash and borrowings)

2015
%

2014
%

Equities

109

 106

Less borrowings

(9)

 (6)


100

100

 

 

 

 

Largest 10 holdings





31 March 2015
Market value
£000

31 March 2015
% of total
portfolio

31 March 2014
Market value
£000

31 March 2014
% of total
portfolio

Chevron

8,977

4.5

8,052

4.5

Total

6,819

3.4

7,659

4.3

British American Tobacco

6,774

3.4

5,764

3.2

Verizon Communications

6,768

3.4

-

-

Kraft Foods Group

6,603

3.3

4,099

2.3

Novartis

6,555

3.3

-

-

McDonald's

6,492

3.3

4,779

2.7

Pfizer

6,458

3.3

9,957

5.6

Kinder Morgan

5,951

3.0

3,297

1.8

Roche Holdings

5,772

2.9

10,977

6.1

 

Portfolio Holdings

 


Sector

Country

Market value
£

% of total
portfolio

Developed Europe



94,394,914

47.51

Total

Oil & Gas

France

        6,818,563

3.43

British American Tobacco

Consumer Goods

UK

        6,773,795

3.41

Novartis

Healthcare

Switzerland

        6,555,076

3.30

Roche Holdings

Healthcare

Switzerland

       5,772,189

2.91

BHP Billiton

Basic Materials

UK

 5,108,698

2.57

Givaudan

Basic Materials

Switzerland

4,440,756

2.23

SSE

Utilities

UK

       4,435,308

2.23

Eutelsat Communications

Consumer Services

France

4,091,341

2.06

BASF

Basic Materials

Germany

 4,036,309

2.03

Allianz

Financials

Germany

3,828,552

1.93

Meggitt

Industrials

UK

3,806,315

1.92

Sanofi

Healthcare

France

3,769,601

1.90

Direct Line Insurance

Financials

UK

3,722,325

1.87

TeliaSonera

Telecommunications

Sweden

        3,638,330

1.83

Inmarsat

Telecommunications

UK

        3,623,379

1.82

Hugo Boss

Consumer Goods

Germany

        3,610,935

1.82

 

HSBC Holdings

Financials

UK

        3,401,391

1.71

Prosieben

Consumer Services

Germany

        3,316,731

1.67

SKY

Consumer Services

UK

        3,229,216

1.63

Kingfisher

Consumer Services

UK

        3,084,146

1.55

Prudential

Financials

UK

        2,678,327

1.35

SCOR

Financials

France

        2,419,693

1.22

Schneider Electric

Industrials

France

        2,233,938

1.12

 

North America



85,846,478

43.20

Chevron

Oil & Gas

United States

        8,976,598

4.52

Verizon Communications

Telecommunications

United States

        6,767,902

3.41

Kraft Foods Group

Consumer Goods

United States

        6,602,639

3.32

McDonald's

Consumer Services

United States

        6,491,986

3.27

Pfizer

Healthcare

United States

        6,458,332

3.25

Kinder Morgan

Oil & Gas

United States

        5,951,297

2.99

Phillip Morris International

Consumer Goods

United States

        5,726,752

2.88

Procter & Gamble

Consumer Goods

United States

        5,476,879

2.76

Waste Management

Industrials

United States

        4,851,289

2.44

Sempra Energy

Utilities

United States

        4,713,475

2.37

Paychex

Industrials

United States

        4,611,772

2.32

Merck & Co

Healthcare

United States

        4,538,783

2.28

Bank Of Montreal

Financials

Canada

        4,272,340

2.15

Crown Castle International

Financials

United States

        3,771,586

1.90

Johnson & Johnson

Healthcare

United States

        3,476,095

1.75

Caterpillar

Industrials

United States

        3,158,753

1.59

 

Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan


7,415,226

3.73

United Overseas Bank

Financials

Singapore

        2,883,502

1.45

Woolworths

Consumer Services

Australia

        2,870,763

1.44

SJM Holdings

Consumer Services

Hong Kong

        1,660,961

0.84

 

Japan



5,923,052

2.98

Nissan Motor

Consumer Goods

Japan

        2,988,156

1.50

Lawson

Consumer Services

Japan

        2,934,896

1.48

 

Global emerging markets



5,129,620

2.58

Fibra Uno

Financials

Mexico

       2,863,292

1.44

Intouch Holdings

Technology

Thailand

       2,266,328

1.14

 

Total portfolio



198,709,290

100.00

 

 

Principal risks and uncertainties

 

Risk and mitigation

The company's business model is longstanding and resilient to most of the short term uncertainties that it faces, which the board believes are effectively mitigated by its internal controls and the oversight of the investment manager, as described below. The principal risks and uncertainties are therefore largely longer term and driven by the inherent uncertainties of investing in global equity markets. The board believes that it is able to respond to these longer term risks and uncertainties with effective mitigation so that both the potential impact and the likelihood of these seriously affecting shareholders' interests are materially reduced.

 

Risks are regularly monitored at board meetings and the board's planned mitigation measures are described below. The board maintains a risk register and also carries out a risk workshop as part of its annual strategy meeting. The board has identified the following principal risks to the company:

 

Loss of S1158-9 tax status - Loss of S1158-9 tax status would have serious consequences for the attractiveness of the company's shares. The board considers that, given the regular oversight of this risk carried out by the investment manager and reviewed by the board, the likelihood of this risk occurring is minimal.

 

Long-term investment underperformance - The board manages the risk of investment underperformance by relying on good manager stock selection skills within a framework of diversification and other investment restrictions and guidelines.

 

The board monitors the implementation and results of the investment process with the manager (who attends all board meetings) and reviews data that shows statistical measures of the company's risk profile.

 

Market, financial and interest rate risk - A significant proportion of the company's investment portfolio is invested in overseas securities and the balance sheet can be significantly affected by movements in foreign exchange rates. It is not the company's policy to hedge this risk on a continuing basis but the company may, from time to time, match specific overseas investment with foreign currency borrowings.

 

As a consequence of investing in overseas securities the revenue account is subject to currency fluctuation arising on overseas income.

 

In order to retain its place in the FTSE All-Share, the company must satisfy the liquidity test criteria set by the FTSE at each annual review.

 

The liquidity of the company is monitored by the board, the investment manager and the company's broker with a report being reviewed at every board meeting. The board regularly discusses ways to improve the liquidity position of the company.

 

Statement of directors' responsibilities

 

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the 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 the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that year. 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 and prudent;

·      state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

·      prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the company will continue in business.

 

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to disclose the company's transactions and that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

 

The financial statements are published on the www.securitiestrust.com website, which is maintained by the investment manager. The maintenance and integrity of the website maintained by Martin Currie is, so far as it relates to the company, the responsibility of Martin Currie.

 

Each of the directors of the company confirms that the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company. Furthermore each director certifies that the strategic report, the report of the directors and the manager's review includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that the company faces.

 

Going concern status

 

The company's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the chairman's statement, manager's review, strategic report and the report of the directors.

 

The financial position of the company as at 31 March 2015 is shown on the balance sheet set out below. The cash flows of the company are also set out below. Note 14 sets out the company's risk management policies, including those covering market net risk, liquidity risk and credit risk.

 

The company has a loan facility of £17,000,000 which expires on 25 September 2016, which was fully drawn down at the year-end date. The purpose of the facility is to enable the manager to enhance the return for shareholders by borrowing and investing where the return is expected to exceed the cost of borrowing. The company has adequate financial resources in the form of readily realisable listed securities and as a result the directors assess that the company is able to continue in operational existence without the facility.

 

In accordance with the Financial Reporting Council's guidance on going concern and liquidity risk issued in October 2009, the directors have undertaken a rigorous review of the company's ability to continue as a going concern. The company's assets consist of a diverse portfolio of listed equity shares which, in most circumstances, are realisable within a very short timescale. The directors are mindful of the principal risks and uncertainties disclosed above and have reviewed revenue forecasts and they believe that the company has adequate financial resources to continue its operational existence for the foreseeable future, and at least one year from the date of the company's annual report. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these accounts.

 

Neil Donaldson

Chairman

26 May 2015

 

 

 

 

Income Statement

 



Year to 31 March 2015


Note

Revenue

£000

Capital

£000

Total

£000

Revenue

£000

Capital

£000

Total

£000

Gains on investments

8

-

14,119

14,119

-

287

287

Currency losses


(10)

7

(3)

(52)

(32)

(84)

Income

3

8,003

-

8,003

7,214

-

7,214

Investment management fee


(366)

(679)

(1,045)

(332)

(617)

(949)

Other expenses

4

(526)

-

(526)

(551)

-

(551)

Net return before finance costs and taxation


7,101

13,447

20,548

6,279

(362)

5,917

Finance costs

5

(64)

(119)

(183)

(57)

(106)

(163)

Net return on ordinary activities before taxation


7,037

13,328

20,365

6,222

(468)

5,754

Taxation on ordinary activities

7

(784)

-

(784)

(723)

-

(723)

Net return attributable to ordinary redeemable shareholders


6,253

13,328

19,581

5,499

(468)

5,031

Return per ordinary redeemable share

2

5.11p

10.90p

16.01p

4.72p

(0.40p)

4.32p

 

The total columns of this statement are the income statement of the company.

The revenue and capital items are presented in accordance with The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) SORP 2009.

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

 

No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.

The notes form part of these financial statements.

A statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required as all gains and losses of the company have been reflected in the income statement.

 

Balance sheet

 



As at 31 March 2015

As at 31 March 2014


Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

Non-current assets






Investments at fair value through profit or loss






Listed on Exchanges in the UK



39,863


37,529

Listed on Exchanges abroad



158,846


141,518


8


198,709


179,047

Current assets






Loans and receivables

9

2,310


1,085


Cash at bank


3,762


3,401




6,072


4,486


Creditors






Amounts falling due within one year

10

(19,749)


(10,362)


Net current liabilities



(13,677)


(5,876)

Net assets



185,032


173,171







Capital and reserves






Called up ordinary share capital

11


1,223


1,223

Capital redemption reserve



78


78

Share premium account



30,040


30,040

Special distributable capital reserve



107,448


109,299

Capital reserve

11


43,020


29,692

Revenue reserve



3,223


2,839




185,032


173,171

Net asset value per ordinary redeemable share

2


152.93p


141.60p

 

The company is registered in Scotland, no 283272.

The aggregate amount of called up share capital as at 31 March 2015 is £1,222,991 (2014: £1,222,991).

The financial statements were approved by the board and signed on its behalf by Neil Donaldson, Chairman

 

Reconciliation of movements in shareholders' funds

 


Note

Called-up
ordinary share
capital

£000

Capital
redemption

reserve

£000

Share
premium

account

£000

Special
distributable

reserve

£000


Capital

reserve

£000


Revenue

reserve

£000



Total
£000

As at 31 March 2014


1,223

78

30,040

109,299

29,692

2,839

173,171

Return attributable to shareholders


-

-

-

-

13,328

6,253

19,581

Ordinary shares bought back during the year

 

11

-

-

-

(1,851)

-

-

(1,851)

Dividends paid

6

-

-

-

-

-

(5,869)

(5,869)

Balance at 31 March 2015


1,223

78

30,040

107,448

43,020

3,223

185,032

As at 31 March 2013


1,104

78

12,862

109,359

30,160

2,878

156,441

Return attributable to shareholders


-

-

-

-

(468)

5,499

5,031

Ordinary shares issued during the year


119

-

17,348

(60)

-

-

17,407

Cost of ordinary shares issued during the period

 

11

-

-

(170)

-

-

-

(170)

Dividends paid

6

-

-

-

-

-

(5,538)

(5,538)

Balance at 31 March 2014


1,223

78

30,040

109,299

29,692

2,839

173,171

 

 

Statement of cashflow

 



Year to
31 March 2015

Year to
31 March 2014


Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

Net cash inflow from operating activities

12


5,613


4,717

Servicing of finance






Finance costs



(184)


(164)

Taxation






Taxation suffered



31


(105)

Capital expenditure and financial investment






Capital distributions


47


548


Payments to acquire investments


(77,094)


(73,452)


Receipts from disposal of investments


72,668


57,883


Net cash outflow from investing activities



 

(4,379)


 

(15,021)

Dividends paid



(5,869)


(5,538)

Net cash outflow before use of liquid resources and financing



(4,788)


(16,111)

Financing






Cost of ordinary shares issued during the year


-


(170)


Repurchase of ordinary share capital during the year


(1,851)


-


Shares issued for cash


-


17,407


Net movement in short-term borrowings


7,000


-


Net cash inflow from financing



5,149


17,237

Increase in cash for the year



361


1,126

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movements in net debt






Increase in cash as above


361


1,126


Net movement in short-term borrowings


(7,000)


-


Change in net debt resulting from cash flows



(6,639)


1,126

Opening net debt



(6,599)


(7,725)

Closing net debt

13


(13,238)


(6,599)

 

 

1.        Accounting policies

 

(a)        The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP) and the Statement of Recommended Practice for Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts' ('SORP'), issued in January 2009. 

 

            The disclosures on going concern set out above form part of the financial statements.

 

            Dividends - In accordance with FRS 21: 'Events after the balance sheet date', dividends are included in the financial statements in the period in which they are paid.

 

            Functional currency - In accordance with FRS 23: 'The effects of changes in foreign currency', the company is required to nominate a functional currency, being the currency in which the company predominately operates. The board has determined that sterling is the company's functional currency, which is also the currency in which these financial statements are prepared.

 

(b)        Income from equity investments is determined on the date on which the investments are quoted ex-dividend, or where no ex-dividend date is quoted, when the company's right to receive payment is established. Income from fixed interest securities is recognised on an effective yield basis. UK dividends received are accounted for at the amount receivable and are not grossed up for any tax credit. Other income includes any taxes deducted at source. Gains and losses arising from the translation of income denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the revenue reserve. Scrip dividends are treated as unfranked investment income; any excess in value of shares received over the amount of the cash dividend is recognised in capital reserve. Income from underwriting commission and traded options is recognised as earned.

 

(c)        Interest receivable and payable and management expenses are treated on an accruals basis.

 

(d)        The management fee and interest costs are allocated 65% to capital and 35% to revenue in accordance with the board's expected long-term split of returns in the form of capital gains and income, respectively. With effect from 1 April 2015 the allocation has been amended to 75% to capital and 25% to revenue.  All other expenses are wholly allocated to revenue.

 

(e)        Gains and losses on the realisation of investments and changes in the fair value of investments which are readily convertible to cash, without accepting adverse terms, together with exchange adjustments to overseas currencies are taken to capital reserve.

 

(f)         Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded in the operational currency of the company at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction and re-translated at the rates of exchange ruling on the balance sheet date. Investments are recognised initially as at the trade date of a transaction. Subsequent to this, the disposal of an investment is accounted for once again as at the trade date of a transaction.

 

(g)        Revenue received and interest paid in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange on the transaction date. Any exchange differences between the recognition and settlement both for revenue transactions are taken to the revenue account.

 

(h)        The company's investments are classified as 'financial assets at fair value through profit or loss' and are valued at fair value. For listed investments this is deemed to be bid market prices. Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are included in the capital return for the year.

 

(i)         All financial assets and liabilities are recognised in the financial statements.

 

(j)         Deferred tax is recorded in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 19 (Deferred tax). Deferred tax is provided on all timing differences that have originated but not reversed by the balance sheet date. A deferred tax asset is only recognised to the extent that it is regarded as recoverable. Due to the company's status as an investment trust company, and the intention to continue meeting the conditions required to obtain approval in the foreseeable future, the company has not provided for deferred tax on any capital gains and losses arising on the revaluation or disposal of investments.

 

(k)        Transaction costs incurred on the purchase and disposal of investments are recognised as a capital item in the income statement.

 

(l)         The cost of share buybacks includes the amount of consideration paid, including directly attributable and deducted from the special distributable reserve until the shares are cancelled.

 

(m)       The company uses derivative financial instruments to manage the risk associated with foreign currency fluctuations arising on dividends received in currencies other than sterling. This is achieved by the use of forward foreign currency contracts. The company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes. Derivative financial instruments are recognised initially at fair value on the contract date and subsequently remeasured to the fair value at each reporting date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised as revenue or capital in the income statement depending on the nature and motive of each derivative transaction.  Derivative financial instruments with a positive fair value are recognised as financial assets and derivative financial instruments with a negative fair value are recognised as financial liabilities. A derivative is presented as a non-current asset or a non-current liability if the remaining maturity of the instrument is more than 12 months and it is not expected to be realised or settled within 12 months.

 

2. 


Year to
31 March 2015

Year to
31 March 2014

Returns and net asset value



Revenue return



Revenue return attributable to ordinary redeemable shareholders

£6,253,000

£5,499,000

Average number of shares in issue during the year

122,262,535

116,391,681

Revenue return per ordinary redeemable share

5.11p

4.72p

Capital return



Capital return attributable to ordinary redeemable shareholders

£13,328,000

(£468,000)

Average number of shares in issue during the year

122,262,535

116,391,681

Capital return per ordinary redeemable share

10.90p

(0.40p)

Total return



Total return per ordinary redeemable share

16.01p

4.32p

Net asset value per share



Net assets attributable to shareholders

£185,032,000

£173,171,000

Number of shares in issue at year end

120,991,377

122,299,148

Net asset value per share

152.93p

141.60p

 

3. 


Year to
31 March 2015

£000

Year to
31 March 2014

£000

Income 



From listed investments:



Franked income - equities

1,883

1,808

Unfranked income - equities

6,110

5,401


7,993

7,209

Other income



Interest on deposits

10

5


8,003

7,214

Total income comprises:



Dividends from investments

7,993

7,209

Interest

10

5


8,003

7,214

Dividends from investments:



Listed in the UK

1,883

1,808

Listed overseas

6,110

5,401


7,993

7,209

 

Capital dividend received

During the year ended 31 March 2015, the company received a capital dividend of £47,000 from Direct Line Insurance Group as shown in note 8. During the year ended 31 March 2014, the company received a capital dividend of £548,000 from Vodafone Group.

 

4.


Year to
31 March 2015

£000

Year to
31 March 2014

£000

Other expenses



Bank charges

5

15

Directors' fees

139

116

Employers' national insurance contributions

13

11

Irrecoverable VAT

49

12

Legal fees

14

17

Depositary fees

27

-

Printing and postage

30

19

Registrar's fees

49

49

Savings plan administration and advertising

22

27

Secretarial fee

101

98

Other

61

171


510

535

Auditors' remuneration:



- audit services

16

16

- non-audit services

-

-


526

551

 

Details of the contract between the company and Martin Currie for the provision of the investment management and secretarial arrangements are set out in the company's annual report.

 

5.


 Year to 31 March 2015

 Year to 31 March 2014

Revenue

£000

Capital

£000

Total

£000

Revenue

£000

Capital

£000

Total

£000

Finance costs







Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts

64

119

183

57

106

163

 

6.


Year to
31 March 2015

£000

Year to
31 March 2014

£000

Dividends



Year ended 31 March 2013 - fourth interim dividend of 1.30p

-

1,447

Year ended 31 March 2014 - first interim dividend of 1.15p

-

1,301

Year ended 31 March 2014 - second interim dividend of 1.15p

-

1,388

Year ended 31 March 2014 - third interim dividend of 1.15p

-

1,402

Year ended 31 March 2014 - fourth interim dividend of 1.35p

1,651

-

Year ended 31 March 2015 - first interim dividend of 1.15p

1,406

-

Year ended 31 March 2015 - second interim dividend of 1.15p

1,406

-

Year ended 31 March 2015 - third interim dividend of 1.15p

1,406

-


5,869

5,538

 

Set out below are the total dividends payable in respect of the period, which forms the basis on which the requirements of sections 1158-1159 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 are considered.

 


Year to
31 March 2015

£000

Year to
31 March 2014

£000

First interim dividend of 1.15p for the year ended 31 March 2015 (2014: 1.15p)

1,406

1,301

Second interim dividend of 1.15p for the year ended 31 March 2015 (2014: 1.15p)

1,406

1,388

Third interim dividend of 1.15p for the year ended 31 March 2015 (2014: 1.15p)

1,406

1,402

Proposed fourth interim dividend of 1.45p for the year ended 31 March 2015 (2014: 1.35p)

1,754

1,651


5,972

5,742

 

During the year the directors received dividends of 4.80p (2014: 4.70p) per share. Directors' shareholdings are disclosed in the company's annual report. The revenue reserves as at 31 March 2015 are £3,223,000.  None of this will be used to fund the fourth interim dividend. At the AGM held on 16 May 2012, the board received shareholder approval to amend the articles of association of the company to enable dividends to be paid out of capital.

 

7.

 


 Year to
31 March 2015

£000

 Year to
31 March 2014

£000

Taxation on ordinary activities



Foreign tax

784

723

 

In accordance with the SORP issued in 2009, the company has adopted the marginal method for allocating tax relief between income and capital. The revenue account tax charge for the year was lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK for an investment trust company 21% (2014: 23%). The differences are explained below.

 


 Year to
31 March 2015

£000

 Year to
31 March 2014

£000

Net return on ordinary activities before taxation

20,365

5,754

Corporation tax at standard rate of 21% (2014: 23%)

4,277

1,323

Effects of:



Gains on investments not taxable

(2,965)

(66)

UK dividends not taxable

(396)

(416)

Overseas dividends not taxable

(1,283)

(1,242)

Overseas tax suffered

784

723

Currency losses not taxable

1

19

Excess management expenses not utilised

366

382

Current tax charge

784

723

 

As of 1 April 2014, the UK Corporation tax rate fell from 23% to 231%.

 

At the year end, the company has, for taxation purposes only, accumulated unrelieved management expenses and loan relationship deficits of £12,372,000 (2014: £10,375,000).  A deferred tax asset in respect of this has not been recognised and these expenses will only be utilised if the company has profits chargeable to corporation tax in the future.

 

During the year, as a result of the change in UK corporation tax from 23% to 21% and subsequent provision in the Finance Act 2013 to reduce the main rate of corporation tax to 20% for the financial year 2015, that was substantively enacted on 2 July 2013 and that will be effective from 1 April 2015, the unrecognised deferred tax asset has been remeasured to 20%.

 

Further reductions to the main rate are proposed to reduce the rate by 1% to 20% by 1 April 2015. These changes had not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and, therefore, are not included in these financial statements.

 

8.

 


Year to
31 March 2015

£000

Year to
31 March 2014

£000

Investments at fair value through profit or loss



Opening valuation

179,047

163,684

Opening investment holding gains

(20,650)

(31,152)

Opening cost

158,397

132,532

Add: acquisitions at cost

78,258

72,169

Disposal proceeds

(72,668)

(56,545)

Less: net gain on disposal of investments

8,212

10,241

Disposal at cost

(64,456)

(46,304)

Closing cost

172,199

158,397

Add: investment holding gains

26,510

20,650

Closing valuation

198,709

179,047

 

There were no fixed interest securities as at 31 March 2015 (2014: £nil).

An analysis of the investment portfolio by sector, and a list of all the investments and their market value is detailed above.

 


Year to
31 March 2015
£000

Year to
31 March 2014
£000

Gains on investments



Net gain on disposal of investments

8,212

10,241

Movement in investment holdings unrealised gains / (losses)

5,860

(10,502)

Capital distributions

47

548


14,119

287

 

Transaction costs

During the year, expenses were incurred in acquiring or disposing of investments classified as fair value though profit or loss.  These have been expensed through capital and are included within gains on investments in the income statement. The total costs were as follows:

 


Year to
31 March 2015
£000

Year to
31 March 2014
£000

Acquisitions

151

196

Disposals

94

81


245

277

 

9. 

 


As at
31 March 2015
£000

As at
31 March 2014
£000

Receivables



Dividends receivable

859

819

Special dividends to capital receivable

47

-

Tax recoverable

222

253

Prepayments and other debtors

1,182

13


2,310

1,085

 

10.


As at
31 March 2015
£000

As at
31 March 2014
£000

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year



Interest accrued

-

1

Due to brokers

1,164

-

Sterling bank revolving loan

17,000

10,000

Other creditors

1,585

361


19,749

10,362

 

The company has a £17,000,000 revolving loan facility with State Street which expires on 25 September 2015. Under this agreement £17,000,000 was drawn at 31 March 2015 at a rate of 1.26775% with a maturity date of 29 June 2015.

 

The fair value of the sterling loan is not materially different from its carrying value. The interest rate is set at each roll-over date at LIBOR plus a margin

 

11. 

 


Number of shares

As at
31 March 2015
£000

Number of shares

As at
31 March 2014
£000

Called-up share capital





Ordinary shares of 1p





Ordinary shares in issue at the beginning of the year

122,299,148

1,223

110,359,771

1,104

Ordinary shares bought back to Treasury during the year

(1,307,771)

(13)

-

-

Ordinary shares issued during the year

-

-

11,939,377

119

Ordinary shares in issue at the end of the year

120,991,377

1,210

122,299,148

1,223

Treasury shares (Ordinary shares 1p)





Treasury shares in issue at the beginning of the year

-

-

-

-

Ordinary shares bought back to Treasury during the year

1,307,771

13

-

-

Treasury shares in issue at end of the year

1,307,771

13

-

-

Total ordinary shares in issue and in Treasury at the end of the year

122,299,148

1,223

122,299,148

1,223

 

There were 1,307,771 shares bought back during the year to 31 March 2015 (2014: nil). During the year, the company issued no shares (2014: 11,939,377 shares at an average price of 146.28p per share, the total proceeds were £17,407,000) The share premium represents the surplus amount over the nominal value of the issued share capital excluding costs, with any related issuance cost allocated to the special distributable capital reserve.           

 

The analysis of the capital reserve is as follows:

 


Realised capital reserve

£000

Investment holding gains

£000

Total capital
reserve

£000

As at 31 March 2014

9,042

20,650

29,692

Gains on realisation of investments at fair value

8,212

-

8,212

Realised currency gains during the year

7

-

7

Movement in fair value gains

-

5,860

5,860

Capitalised expenses

(798)

-

(798)

Capital distributions

47

-

47

As at 31 March 2015

16,510

26,510

43,020

 

The above split in capital reserve is shown in accordance with provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts.

 

12. 

 


Year to
31 March 2015
£000

Year to
31 March 2014
£000

Reconciliation of net return before finance costs
and taxation to net cash inflow from operating activities



Net return before finance costs

20,548

5,917

(Increase) / decrease in accrued income and other debtors

(1,256)

424

Increase / (decrease) in  creditors

1,224

(614)

Net gains on investments

(14,119)

(287)

Taxation withheld from income on investments

(784)

(723)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

5,613

4,717

 

13.

 


As at
31 March 2014

£000

Cash flow

£000

As at
31 March 2015

£000

Analysis of net debt




Cash at bank

3,401

361

3,762

Bank borrowings - sterling revolving loan

(10,000)

(7,000)

(17,000)

Net debt

(6,599)

(6,639)

(13,238)

 

 

14.  Derivatives and other financial instruments

The company's financial instruments comprise securities and other investments, cash balances, loans and debtors and creditors that arise directly from its operations; for example, in respect of sales and purchases awaiting settlement, and debtors for accrued income.  The company also has the ability to enter into derivative transactions in the form of forward foreign currency contracts, futures and options, for the purpose of managing currency and market risks arising from the company's activities.

 

The main risks the company faces from its financial instruments are (i) market price risk (comprising interest rate risk, currency risk and other price risk), (ii) liquidity risk and (iii) credit risk.

 

The board regularly reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks. The manager's policies for managing these risks are summarised below and have been applied throughout the year. The numerical disclosures exclude short-term receivables and creditors.          

 

(i)         Market price risk

 

The fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument held by the company may fluctuate because of changes in market prices.  This market risk comprises three elements - interest rate risk, currency risk and other price risk. 

 

Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate movements may affect:

 

·      the fair value of the investments in fixed interest rate securities;

·      the level of income receivable on cash deposits; and

·      the level of interest payable on borrowings.

 

The possible effects on fair value and cash flows that could arise as a result of changes in interest rates are taken into account when making investment and borrowing decisions.

 

The board imposes borrowing limits to ensure gearing levels are appropriate to market conditions and reviews these on a regular basis. The company has a revolving loan with State Street Bank and Trust Company which provides flexibility to finance opportunities in the short term. Current guidelines state that the total borrowings will not exceed 15% of the total assets of the company. Details of borrowings at 31 March 2015 are shown in note 10.

 

Interest risk profile

 

The interest rate risk profile of the portfolio of financial assets (comprising cash balances only) at the balance sheet date was as follows:

 

 

As at 31  March 2015

Weighted average period for which rate is fixed
Years

Weighted average interest rate
%

Fixed rate

£000

Floating rate
£000

Non-interest
bearing

£000

Assets






Sterling - undated

-

                 -

        3,762

     198,709

Liabilities






Bank loan - sterling

0.3

17,000

                 -

                 -

 

 

As at 31 March 2014

Weighted average period for which rate is fixed
Years

Weighted average interest rate
%

Fixed rate

£000

Floating rate
£000

Non-interest
bearing

£000

Assets






Sterling - undated

 -

0.27

              -

         3,401

      179,047

Liabilities






Bank loan - Sterling

0.3

1.32

10,000

                 -

                  -

 

 

The weighted average interest rate is based on the current yield of each asset, weighted by its market value. The weighted average interest rate on the bank loan is based on the interest rate payable on each tranche drawn down, which is set at each tranche drawn down, weighted by its value. The maturity date of the company's loan is shown in note 10.

 

The floating rate assets consist of cash deposits on call earning interest at prevailing market rates.

 

The non-interest bearing assets represent the equity element of the portfolio.

 

Interest rate sensitivity

 

The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates at the balance sheet date and the stipulated change taking place at the beginning of the financial year and held constant throughout the reporting period in the case of instruments that have floating rates.

 

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the return after taxation to an increase or decrease of 100 basis points in interest rates. This is mainly attributable to the company's exposure to the interest rate on its bank loan.

 


Year to 31 March 2015

Year to 31 March 2014


Increase in rate
£000s

Decrease in rate
£000

Increase in rate
£000s

Decrease in rate
£000

Effect on revenue return

(60)

60

(35)

35

Effect on capital return

(111)

111

(65)

65

Effect on total return and on net assets

(171)

171

(100)

100

 

In the opinion of the directors, the above sensitivity analysis is not representative of the year as a whole, since exposure changes as investments are made, borrowings are drawn down and repaid throughout the year.

 

Foreign currency risk

 

A significant proportion of the company's investment portfolio is invested in overseas securities and the balance sheet can be significantly affected by movements in foreign exchange rates. It is not the company's policy to hedge this risk on a continuing basis but the company may, from time to time, match specific overseas investment with foreign currency borrowings.

 

The revenue account is subject to currency fluctuation arising on overseas income.

 

Foreign currency risk profile

 

Foreign currency risk exposure by currency of denomination:

 


As at 31 March 2015

As at 31 March 2014


Investments

£000

Net monetary assets

£000

Total currency exposure

£000

Investments

£000

Net monetary assets

£000

Total currency exposure

£000

US dollar

              81,574

204

       81,778

            64,122

            200

       64,322

Euro currency

             34,126

              81

      34,207

           39,223

             71

       39,294

Swiss franc

             16,768

            141

      16,909

           10,977

           182

       11,159

Canadian dollar

4,272

-

4,272

3,640

-

3,640

Australian dollar

2,871

65

2,936

6,205

97

6,302

Japanese yen

5,923

75

5,998

4,442

63

4,505

Swedish krona

3,638

-

3,638

5,781

-

5,781

Hong Kong dollar

1,661

-

1,661

2,156

-

2,156

Singapore dollar

2,884

-

2,884

2,359

-

2,359

Thailand baht

2,266

59

2,325

2,613

-

2,613

Mexican peso

2,863

-

2,863

-

-

-

Total overseas investments

158,846

625

159,471

141,518

613

142,131

Pound Sterling

39,863

 (14,302)

25,561

37,529

 (6,489)

31,040

Total

198,709

 (13,677)

185,032

179,047

 (5,876)

173,171

 

The asset allocation between specific markets can vary from time to time based on the manager's opinion of the attractiveness of the individual markets.

 

Foreign currency sensitivity

 

There were minimal foreign currency denominated monetary items at the year end.

 

Other price risk

 

Other price risks (i.e. changes in market prices other than those arising from interest rate or currency risk) may affect the value of the quoted investments.

 

It is the board's policy to hold an appropriate spread of investments in the portfolio in order to reduce the risk arising from factors specific to a particular sector. The allocation of assets and the stock selection process, as set out above, both act to reduce market risk. The manager actively monitors market prices throughout the year and reports to the board, which meets regularly in order to review investment strategy.  The investments held by the company are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

 

Other price risk sensitivity

 

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the return after taxation and the net asset value to an increase or decrease of 15% in the fair value of the company's equities. The calculations are based on the portfolio valuations, as at the respective balance sheet dates, and are not representative of the year as a whole.

 


Year to 31 March 2015

Year to 31 March 2014


Increase in rate
£000s

Decrease in rate
£000

Increase in rate
£000s

Decrease in rate
£000

Effect on revenue return

 (63)

63

 (56)

56

Effect on capital return

29,690

 (29,690)

26,752

 (26,752)

Effect on total return and on net assets

29,627

 (29,627)

26,696

 (26,696)

 

(ii) Liquidity risk

 

This is the risk that the company will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities.

 

Liquidity risk is not considered to be significant as the company's assets comprise mainly readily realisable securities, which can be sold to meet funding commitments if necessary. Short-term flexibility is achieved through the use of loan and overdraft facilities (note 10).

 

The contractual maturities of the financial liabilities at the year end, based on the earliest date on which payment can be required are as follows:

 


As at 31 March 2015

As at 31 March 2014


Three months or less

£000

More than three months

£000

Total

£000

Three months or less

£000

More than three months

£000

Total

£000

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year







Interest accrued

-

-

-

1

-

1

Due to brokers

1,164

-

1,164

-

-

-

Sterling bank revolving loan

17,000

-

17,000

10,000

-

10,000

Other creditors

1,585

-

1,585

361

-

361


19,749

-

19,749

10,362

-

10,362

 

 

(iii) Credit risk

 

This is the risk of failure of the counterparty to a transaction to discharge its obligations under that transaction that could result in the company suffering a loss.

 

The risk is not considered to be significant by the board, and is managed as follows:

 

·      investment transactions are carried out with a large number of brokers, whose credit-standing is reviewed periodically by the investment manager, and limits are set on the amounts that may be due from any one broker; and

·      cash is held only with reputable banks with high quality external credit ratings.

 

None of the company's financial assets is secured by collateral.

 

The maximum credit risk exposure as at 31 March 2015 was £6,072,000 (2013: £4,486,000).  This was due to debtors and cash as per notes 9 and 13.

 

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities

All financial assets and liabilities of the company are included in the balance sheet at fair value or the balance sheet amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

15.  Capital management policies and procedures

The company's capital management objectives are:

·      to ensure that the company will be able to continue as a going concern; and

·      to maximise the income and capital return to its equity shareholders through an appropriate balance of equity capital and debt.

 

The capital of the company consists of equity, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings.

 

The board monitors and reviews the broad structure of the company's capital on an ongoing basis. This review includes the nature and planned level of gearing, which takes account of the manager's views on the market and the extent to which revenue in excess of that which is required to be distributed should be retained.

 

16.  Fair value hierarchy

 

Under FRS 29 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures' an entity is required to classify fair value measurements using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. The fair value hierarchy shall have the following levels:

 

·      Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

·      Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and  

·      Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

 

The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the balance sheet are grouped into the fair value hierarchy as follows:

 



 As at 31 March 2015



Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total


Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss






Quoted equities

a)

198,709

-

-

198,709

Total


198,709

-

-

198,709

 



 As at 31 March 2014


Note

Level 1
£000

Level 2
£000

Level 3
£000

Total
£000

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss






Quoted equities

a)

179,047

 -

 -

179,047

Total


179,047

 -

 -

179,047

 

 

a) Quoted equities

The fair value of the company's investments in quoted equities has been determined by reference to their quoted bid prices at the reporting date. Quoted equities included in fair value level 1 are actively traded on recognised stock exchanges.

 

Note 17 Post balance sheet events

On 26 May 2015 the board declared a fourth interim dividend of 1.45p per share. Between 1 April and 20 May 2015, the company had bought back 1,258,617 shares to be held in treasury.

 

Note 18 AIFMD disclosures

 

In accordance with the AIFM Directive, information in relation to the company's leverage and the remuneration of the company's AIFM, Martin Currie Fund Management Limited ('MCFM'), is required to be made available to investors.  In accordance with the Directive, the AIFM's remuneration policy is available from MCFM on request (see contact details on the back cover).  The numerical remuneration disclosures in relation to the AIFMs' first relevant accounting period (year ended 31 March 2016) will be made available in due course.

 

The company's maximum and actual leverage levels at 31 March 2015 are show below:  

 

Leverage Exposure

Gross Method

Commitment Method

Maximum permitted limit

150%

150%

Actual

108%

109%

 

The leverage limits are set by the AIFM and approved by the board and are in line with the maximum leverage levels permitted in the company's articles of association.  The AIFM is also required to comply with the gearing parameters set by the board in relation to borrowings.

 

Website

 

Securities Trust of Scotland Trust has its own dedicated website at www.securitiestrust.com.

 

This offers shareholders, prospective investors and their advisers a wealth of information about the trust. Updated daily, it includes the following: latest prices, manager videos, performance data, portfolio information, latest monthly update, research, press releases and articles, annual and half yearly reports.


This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
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