Half-year Report
Acorn Income Fund Limited
LEI 213800UAZN7G46AHQM67
Half-yearly Condensed Report (unaudited)
For the Six Months Ended 30 June 2021
(Classified Regulated Information, under DTR 6 Annex 1 section 1.2)
The Company has today, in accordance with DTR 6.3.5, released its Half-yearly Condensed Report (unaudited) for the six months ended 30 June 2021.The Report will shortly be available via the Investment Manager’s website https://www.premierfunds.co.uk/investors/investments/investment-trusts/acorn-income-fund and will also be available for inspection online at www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/NSM website.
Investment Objectives and Policy
Investment Objectives
The investment objective and policy of Acorn Income Fund Limited (the “Company” or “Acorn”) is to provide shareholders with high income and the opportunity for capital growth.
The Company's assets predominantly comprise investments in equities and fixed interest securities in order to achieve its investment objective. The Company’s investments are held in two portfolios. Approximately 70% to 80% of the Company’s assets are invested in smaller capitalised United Kingdom companies, admitted to the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”) and traded on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (the “LSE”) or traded on the Alternative Investment Market (“AIM”) at the time of investment (the “Smaller Companies Portfolio”). The Company also aims to enhance income for Ordinary Shareholders by investing approximately 20% to 30% of the Company’s assets in high yielding instruments which are predominantly fixed interest securities but may include up to 15% of the Company’s overall portfolio (measured at the time of acquisition) in high yielding investment company shares (the “Income Portfolio”).
The proportion of the overall portfolio held in the Smaller Companies Portfolio and the Income Portfolio varies from day to day as the market prices of investments move. The Directors retain discretion to transfer funds from one portfolio to the other and generally expect between 70% to 80% of the investments to be held in the Smaller Companies Portfolio.
While the Company’s investment policy is to spread risk by maintaining diversified portfolios, there are no restrictions on the proportions of either of the portfolios which may be invested in any one geographical area, asset class or industry sector. However, not more than 7.5% of the Company’s gross assets may be invested in securities issued by any one company as at the time of investment, save that (i) in respect of the Income Portfolio only, investments may be made in other investment funds subject only to the restriction set out in paragraph (c) of the section headed “Investment Restrictions” below; and (ii) in respect of the Smaller Companies Portfolio only, provided that not more than 10% of the Company’s gross assets are invested in securities issued by any one company at any time, with Board approval the 7.5% limit may be exceeded on a short term basis where a company whose securities form part of the Smaller Companies Portfolio issues new securities (for example by way of a rights issue).
The Company’s capital structure is such that the underlying value of assets attributable to the Ordinary Shares is geared relative to the rising capital entitlements of the Preference Shares (“ZDP Shares”). The Company’s gearing policy is not to employ any further gearing through long-term bank borrowing. Save with the prior sanction of ZDP Shareholders, the Company will incur no indebtedness other than short term borrowings in the normal course of business, such as to settle share trades or borrowings to finance the redemption of the ZDP Shares.
Investment Restrictions
For so long as required by the LSE Listing Rules in relation to closed-ended investment companies, the Company has adopted the following investment and other restrictions:
a) the Company will at all times invest and manage its assets in a way which is consistent with its objective of spreading investment risk and in accordance with its published investment policy;
b) the Company will not conduct any significant trading activity; and
c) not more than 10% in aggregate of the value of the total assets of the Company at the time the investment is made will be invested in other listed closed-ended investment funds. The Listing Rules provide an exception to this restriction to the extent that those investment funds which have stated investment policies to invest no more than 15% of their total assets in other listed closed-ended investment companies.
Derivatives
The Company may invest in derivatives, money market instruments and currency instruments including contracts for difference, futures, forwards and options. These investments may be used for hedging positions against movements in, for example, equity markets, currencies and interest rates, for investment purposes and for efficient portfolio management. The Company’s use of such instruments for investment purposes is limited to 5 per cent of the total assets of the Company. The Company will not use such instruments to engage in any significant trading activity. The Company will not maintain derivative positions should the total underlying exposure of these positions (excluding any currency hedges) exceed one times adjusted total capital and reserves.
Dividend Policy
The Company’s policy is to provide Ordinary Shareholders with a high income relative to the average dividend yield of the UK Smaller Companies comprised in the Numis Smaller Companies Index ex Investment Companies. The Company aims to pay a regular quarterly dividend in March, June, September and December. It is intended to distribute substantially all of the Company’s net income after expenses and taxation; however, the Company may retain a proportion of the Company’s income in each year as a revenue reserve to assist in providing long term stability in dividend distributions. Dividends may be paid to holders of Ordinary Shares whenever the financial position of the Company, in the opinion of the Directors, justifies such payment, subject to the Company being able to satisfy the solvency test, as defined under The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008. The Board is alert to the potential for new share issuance to dilute earnings and accordingly will have regard to the size and timing of new share issues. The ZDP Shares do not carry a right to a dividend.
Proposed Restructure
On 1 September 2021 the Board announced a scheme of reconstruction offering a rollover into the Unicorn UK Income Fund or a cash exit. These proposals, which will involve putting the Company into voluntary liquidation and the early redemption of the ZDP shares, will be put to shareholders at General Meetings in or around October 2021.
Performance Summary
for the period ended 30 June 2021
| 30/06/2021 | 31/12/2020 | % change/return | |
| Total Return Performance* | |||
| Total Return on Gross Assets* | 14.45% | ||
| Numis Smaller Companies (Ex Investment Companies) Index | 27,143.31 | 23,117.10 | 17.42% |
| FTSE All Share Index | 7,852.35 | 7,068.59 | 11.09% |
| FTSE Small Cap (Ex Investment Companies) Index | 10,424.11 | 8,108.86 | 28.55% |
| Share Price and NAV Returns | |||
| Ordinary Shares | |||
| Share Price | 352.00p | 322.50p | 9.15% |
| NAV** | 426.32p | 360.21p | 18.35% |
| IFRS NAV# | 426.30p | 360.17p | 18.36% |
| Total Return on Net Assets** | 22.04% | ||
| Ordinary Share Price Total Return* | 12.82% | ||
| Discount (-) to NAV on Ordinary Shares** | -17.43% | -10.47% | |
| ZDP Shares | |||
| Share Price | 161.50p | 157.00p | 2.87% |
| NAV** | 163.05p | 160.02p | 1.89% |
| IFRS NAV# | 163.06p | 160.05p | 1.88% |
| Discount (-) Premium (+) to NAV on ZDP Shares** | -0.96% | -1.89% | |
| Package Discount (-) to | |||
| NAV Combined Ordinary and ZDP Shares | -11.84% | -7.26% | |
| 6 months to 30/6/2021 | 6 months to 30/6/2020 | % change | |
| Dividends and Earnings | |||
| Revenue Return per Ordinary Share | 7.74p | 4.57p | 69.37% |
| Dividends Declared per Ordinary Share | 11.50p | 11.50p | 0.00% |
* assumes dividends reinvested
** calculated in accordance with the Articles
# calculated in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards
Sources: Index data: Bloomberg, Total return on gross and net assets, PFM, JP Morgan Cazenove
Company Summary
History
The Company was incorporated on 5 January 1999 and commenced its activities on 11 February 1999. The portfolio is divided into two sub portfolios, a Smaller Companies Portfolio representing approximately 70% to 80% of the total with the balance invested in an Income Portfolio investing in fixed income securities, investment company shares and structured investments. The Company has always been leveraged, initially through bank debt and now through Zero Dividend Preference (“ZDP”) Shares. In December 2016, shareholders approved the extension of the ZDP Shares setting a new redemption date of 28 February 2022.
Capital Structure
Zero Dividend Preference Share (1p each)
21,230,989 (excluding treasury shares)
The ZDP Shares will have a final capital entitlement of 167.2 pence per ZDP Share on 28 February 2022 following the extension of the life of the existing shares from 31 January 2017, subject to there being sufficient capital in the Company. The ZDP Shares are not entitled to any dividends. ZDP Shareholders rank ahead of the Ordinary Shareholders in regards to rights as to capital. The ZDP Shareholders have the right to receive notice of all General Meetings of the Company, but do not have the right to attend or vote unless the business of the meeting involves an alteration of the rights attached to the ZDP Shares, in which case the holders of ZDP Shares can attend and vote.
Ordinary Shares (1p each)
15,816,687 (excluding treasury shares)
The Ordinary Shares, excluding treasury shares, are entitled to participate in all dividends and distributions of the Company. On a winding-up, holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to participate in the distribution and the holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive notice of and attend and vote at all General Meetings of the Company.
Treasury Shares
As at 30 June 2021, there were 1,325,972 Ordinary and 1,779,873 ZDP Shares held in treasury.
Shareholder Funds
£67.43 million as at 30 June 2021 (calculated in accordance with IFRS)
£67.43 million as at 30 June 2021 (calculated in accordance with the articles)
Market Capitalisation of the Ordinary Shares
£56 million as at 30 June 2021
Company Details
The Board
The Board consists of three independent non-executive directors (the “Directors”), Nigel Ward (Chairman), David Warr and Sharon Parr. Nigel Sidebottom is not considered independent by virtue of his recent employment with the Premier Miton Group PLC (the parent company of the Investment Manager).
Investment Manager
Premier Asset Management (Guernsey) Limited (“PAMG”), is a subsidiary of Premier Miton Group PLC (“PMG”). PMG had approximately £13.6bn of funds under management as at 30 June 2021. PAMG is licensed under the provisions of the Protection of Investors (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 1987, as amended, by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission to carry on controlled investment business.
Investment Advisers
Premier Fund Managers Limited (“PFM”) – the Company’s Income Portfolio is managed by Chun Lee and Robin Willis.
Unicorn Asset Management Limited (“Unicorn”) – the Company’s Smaller Companies Portfolio is managed by Simon Moon and Fraser Mackersie.
Secretary/Administrator
Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited.
Corporate Broker
Singer Capital Markets.
Management Fee
0.7% per annum (Total Assets) charged 75% to capital and 25% to revenue. Minimum annual management fee £100,000.
In addition, a performance fee is payable at the year-end if the target set out on Note 4 is achieved. This is charged 100% to capital.
Registrar
JTC Registrars Limited
Financial Calendar
Company’s year end 31 December
Annual results announced April
Company’s half year end 30 June
Annual General Meeting October 2021
Half-year results announced September
Dividend payments At the end of March, June, September and December
Company website
Chairman’s Statement and Interim Management Report
30 June 2021
Dear Shareholder
The Company’s Investment Advisers have reported at length elsewhere in this Report and as I would like to spend some time commenting on the Strategic Review I will restrict my comments about performance simply to the headlines numbers, as follows:
Over the past six months, Acorn shareholders have seen a total return on gross assets, which measures the return on the portfolio including all income and costs, of 14.5%, and a total return on net assets of 22.0%, the gearing effect of the Zero Dividend Preference Shares having worked in favour of the ordinary shareholders during the period. These moves compare to a total return from the Numis Smaller Companies (ex-Investment Companies) Index, of 17.4% and from the FTSE All Share Index, of 11.1%. I commend our Investment Advisers for their contribution.
However, despite a robust performance from the underlying portfolio, the ordinary share discount has not tightened as the Board would have hoped, widening from 10.5% at 31st December 2020 to 17.6% as at 30th June 2021. Since the period-end the discount has remained becalmed in the high teens. This highlights the hurdles that the Company has faced over the past few years and it is right that I should address the matter in detail.
Almost twelve months ago the challenges faced by the Company, including sub-scale size, limited liquidity, split-cap and dual portfolio structure, and likely future cut in dividends, led the Board to conclude that the Company could not viably continue in its present form. With a discontinuation vote scheduled for August 2021, and no obvious prospect of growing assets under management, there was a need to bring about change. After an extensive process, and after consultation with some shareholders, the Board ultimately concluded that the optimum outcome was to recommend a scheme of reconstruction offering a rollover into the Unicorn UK Income Fund or a cash exit. These proposals, which will involve placing the Company into voluntary liquidation, and early redemption of ZDP shares, were announced on 1 September and will likely be put to shareholders at General Meetings during October.
Having served on the Acorn board since 2011, the last two years as Chairman, I cannot help but feel a degree of sadness that a Trust with over twenty years history is reaching the end of its life. However, at the start of the strategic review the Board recognised that allowing the Company to limp along for another five years was unacceptable. We have constantly reminded ourselves that every decision had to be in shareholders’ best interests and I believe this outcome will achieve that aim.
Thank you for your support as an investor in our Company over the years and I trust you will approve the measures proposed at the forthcoming meetings.
Nigel Ward
Chairman
Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties
30 June 2021
The principal risks assessed by the Board relating to the Company were disclosed in the Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020. The principal risks disclosed include Coronavirus risk, market price risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, foreign currency risk and reinvestment risk. A detailed explanation can be found in the annual report. The Board and Portfolio Manager do not consider these risks to have changed and remain relevant for the remaining six months of the financial year.
Coronavirus Risk
Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) continues to be considered as a significant risk.
The Board has continued to monitor the development of the COVID-19 outbreak and has considered the impact it has had to date and will continue to have on the future of the Company and the performance of the Smaller Companies Portfolio and Income Portfolio (the “Portfolios”). Notwithstanding the impact the outbreak has already had on the Company’s share price and NAV performance, there remains continued uncertainty about the development and scale of the COVID-19 outbreak particularly in relation to the length and extent of the impact of social distancing restrictions and the impact on the economy in general.
From an operational perspective, the Company uses a number of service providers. These providers have established, documented and regularly tested Business Resilience Policies in place, to cover various scenarios whereby staff cannot turn up for work at the designated office and conduct business as usual. Since the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, service providers have deployed these alternative working policies to good effect, thus ensuring continued business service.
Market Price Risk
Since the Company invests in financial instruments, market price risk is inherent in these investments. In order to minimise this risk, a detailed analysis of the risk/reward relationship of each investee company is undertaken by the Investment Advisers prior to making investments.
Credit Risk
The investment portfolio is comprised of equities and bonds which expose the Company to credit risk, being the risk that a counterparty will default on its contractual obligations resulting in financial loss to the Company.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulties in meeting its obligations associated with its financial liabilities that are settled by delivery of cash or another financial asset. Some of the Company’s investments in smaller company equities and in certain bond issues may have relatively low levels of daily turnover such that it might take several days or even weeks to sell a holding into the market.
Foreign Currency Risk
Foreign currency risk is the risk that the value of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The majority of the Company’s assets and liabilities are denominated in sterling. However, some of the investments in the Income Portfolio may be currencies. Generally, these exposures are hedged denominated in foreign back to sterling and there is unlikely to be any significant direct currency risk.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company's investment portfolios, particularly the Income Portfolio, include investments bearing interest at fixed rates. Generally when interest rates rise the market prices of fixed interest securities fall and when interest rates fall the prices of fixed interest securities rise. The Company will therefore be exposed to movements in interest rates. The Company has fixed rate leverage through its ZDP Shares. In January 2017, the redemption date of the Company’s ZDP Shares was extended to 28 February 2022 at a rate of 3.85% per annum. Replacing this leverage in 2022 might involve the Company paying a higher accrual rate on an issue of new ZDP Shares if interest rates have risen.
Discount Volatility
Being a closed-end fund, the Company’s shares may trade at a discount or premium to their NAV. The magnitude of this discount or premium fluctuates daily and can vary significantly. Thus, for a given period of time, it is possible that the market price could decrease despite an increase in the Company’s NAV.
The Directors review the discount levels regularly. The Investment Advisers actively communicate with the Company’s major shareholders and potential new investors, with the aim of managing discount levels.
Related Parties
Related party balances and transactions are disclosed in note 14 of these Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements.
Going concern
In accordance with Article 53.1 of the Articles of Incorporation of the Company shareholders are to be given the opportunity to vote in favour of, the discontinuation of the Company. As this opportunity was last presented to shareholders on 26 September 2016, the next discontinuation resolution was to be proposed at the Annual General Meeting in 2021.
On 1 September 2021 the Board announced that it was proposing a scheme of reconstruction which would ultimately involve the roll over of all or part of the assets into another vehicle or a cash distribution on liquidation of the Company.
These proposals will be put to shareholders for voting in General Meeting as soon as practicable.
As a result of these proposals, and the expectation that the Company will be placed into voluntary liquidation in or around October 2021, these Interim Financial Statements for the period to 30 June 2021 have been prepared on a break-up basis reflecting this intention. As a result, all assets are classified as current and are stated at their estimated recoverable amounts and all creditors are classified as falling due within one year. As the assets of the Company are already stated at amounts which approximate their fair value this has not resulted in any adjustment to the Net Asset Value of the Company and the Directors believe that fair value equates to recoverable amounts. A provision towards certain costs associated with the scheme of reconstruction has been included within these Interim Financial Statements.
For the avoidance of doubt this scheme of reconstruction and ultimate liquidation is subject to shareholder vote. The Directors have made the assumption that the scheme of reconstruction will be approved and the Company will ultimately be placed into voluntary liquidation.
Responsibility Statement
For the period from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Unaudited Half-yearly Financial Report (the “Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements”), which has not been audited or reviewed by an independent auditor, and confirm that to the best of their knowledge:
· the Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34, Interim Financial Reporting;
· the interim management report includes a fair review of the information required by:
a. DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements; and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and
b. DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period; and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.
Signed on behalf of the Board by:
Nigel Ward
Chairman
16 September 2021
Investment Advisers’ Report
The Smaller Companies Portfolio
Period to 30 June 2021
During the six month period to 30 June 2021 the Smaller Companies portfolio generated a total return of +19.0%, before expenses, ahead of the +17.4% total return of the Numis Smaller Companies Index (Ex Investment Companies).
Investing in UK smaller companies has required extreme patience and fortitude over the last five years. Since the 2016 Brexit referendum there has been significant uncertainty hanging over the prospects of the country’s economic future. In the face of this, asset allocation to the UK fell to exceptionally low levels, the net effect of which was significant outflows from UK assets. Sterling fell to and stayed at historically low levels against other major currencies and smaller, more domestically focussed, companies disproportionately bore the brunt of this headwind. Over this period allocators have preferred relatively expensive growth companies to value/yield stocks and the rest of the world to the UK. Although this environment has been difficult to navigate, it has offered opportunities to populate a portfolio of high quality companies, sitting at attractive valuations, which now face a brighter future than they have at any point in the last five years.
As we commented in our annual review of 2020, the last minute Brexit deal removed the significant risk that has been integral to net fund flows out of the UK and we looked forward with clarity, confidence, and optimism. Combined with recovering Sterling and the successful vaccine role out we still feel a sustained economic and equity recovery is in train. In such circumstances smaller companies tend to capture more of the upside – a trend which has been clearly evident in the first half of the year.
As expected, portfolio turnover during the period was very low with just one disposal and no new additions. On a rolling twelve month basis there have been three additions and two disposals, ending the period with 43 holdings. As outlined in previous reports a number of changes were made in the first half of 2020 to take advantage of the attractive valuations created by the market volatility, to ensure income generation remained robust, and to position the portfolio to benefit from some of the likely improving conditions outlined above. This activity successfully positioned the portfolio for a prolonged period of economic recovery and the need for changes since has been significantly lower. The only holding exited during the period was Hill and Smith, an excellent company which has performed very well in the portfolio for a number of years but has ultimately suffered yield compression after a number of years of strong share price appreciation.
The portfolio delivered both strong capital growth and excellent recovery in dividend payments in the first half of the year. Following an initial recovery in many of the more speculative areas of the small cap market in the second half of 2020 – areas which rarely meet our strict investment criteria – it is pleasing to outperform the benchmark during the first half of the current year. The strong performance was driven by the significant contributions from a large number of our high quality, long standing investments.
In keeping with our long term investment approach, Industrials remained the largest sector in the portfolio with an average weight of 33% during the period. A number of companies within this group performed strongly in the first six months of the year, including significant contributions from Somero (194bps), Alumasc (179bps), Wincanton (160bps) and Braemar Shipping (152bps). Industrials generated an average total return of 33%, adding 1045bps to absolute portfolio performance and a meaningful relative contribution. Despite this strong period of performance we believe there remains significant recovery potential within our industrial holdings.
Another notable sector contribution came from Financials, the second largest sector with an average weight of 30%, which added 347bps to performance. Polar Capital and Liontrust were the best performers in the group, adding 87bps and 64bps respectively.
The third largest sector contribution came from Consumer Staples and was driven by just two companies, with both Warpaint (204bps) and Devro (56bps) starting the year strongly. The largest negative relative contribution to performance came from an underweight position in Consumer Discretionary - despite our sector constituents recording an average positive total return of 18%. Whilst there has clearly been strong capital recovery in the sector during the first half of the year opportunities which meet our strict income driven criteria remain limited.
In the last full year report we spoke of the dividend resilience of the Smaller Companies portfolio. It is pleasing to report that the portfolio received dividend income for H1 that was up 93% compared to H1 last year and down just 19% compared to the same period in 2019, this a far more resilient picture than the broader UK Market which has only recovered 16% from 2020 and is down 31% on 2019. Within the UK Market Small and Mid-Cap dividends were hit particularly hard in 2020, making the outturn for 2020 and subsequent recovery of the smaller companies’ portfolio income in 2021 even more satisfying.
Whilst it is pleasing to see the strong performance from the Smaller Companies portfolio (and small companies in general) it is important to emphasise that we feel this is the beginning of a ‘game of catch up’ and that the portfolio still has much further to go following the now-lifted headwinds talked about in previous reports and the opening paragraphs. The portfolio is populated by well capitalised, well managed, market leading, high quality companies which are in an enhanced position to take advantage of opportunities over the recovery and benefit disproportionately on the upside.
Fraser Mackersie and Simon Moon
Unicorn Asset Management Limited
The Income Portfolio
For much of the first half of the year, the global economic recovery has focussed market attention on inflation. Much of the period has seen inflation data in developed markets such as the US and UK show strong year-on-year gains as demand from the reopening of economies, lingering supply chain bottlenecks and the moves in commodities have exerted strong upward price pressures. This has driven a debate over whether price pressures are transitory or part of a longer term trend. Distortions generated in areas such as the leap in used car sale values have to be taken alongside evidence of the need to raise wages to attract workers back to certain industries. For a more sustained inflationary outlook, we would look for wage rises working their way into the wider economy and for excess savings to find their way back into the real economy however it might be some time until we can identify the true persistence of the trend.
The potential for more sustained inflation saw a material rise in yields over much of the period as investors sought compensation for the risk of having future income eroded, especially as central banks such as the U.S Federal Reserve (the “Fed”) appeared to indicate that they were prepared to let the economy run “hot” in order to achieve full employment. However the tone and direction for yields have recently taken a turn as the Fed, pressured by strong data and further fiscal stimulus, surprised markets by turning more hawkish and implying it may raise rates sooner than anticipated. The potential refocus on limiting inflationary pressures was soon joined by rising fears about the strength of the recovery as the COVID-19 delta variant threatens to postpone a full reopening of the global economy, whilst also exacerbating the supply side disruptions already being felt. Again, it appears too early to tell which narrative will turn out to be true and so we remain cautious to potential risks stemming from changes in the growth outlook, the durability of inflation and changes to central bank policies. We are running at a lower duration sensitivity than a bond index whilst also diversifying into alternatives which look to offer better risk-return characteristics. Within the Sterling corporate bond market, we continue to participate in new issues where we see attractive discounts compared with existing bonds for favoured issuers. We are being selective in companies which we either see as being able to continue improving their valuations or have the resilience to withstand any shocks to the market which may arise from a weaker or more prolonged recovery than expected or the tapering of supportive central bank policies.
Easy monetary policy has kept government rates low in a historical context and fiscal policy and the hunt for yield have kept funding costs low for corporates. This means that while fundamentals have been very supportive for credit, valuations feel rich given the uncertainties and we endeavour to avoid complacency.
Chun Lee and Robin Willis
Premier Fund Managers Limited
Schedule of Principal Investments
as at 30 June 2021
|
Position |
Company |
Market Value £000 |
Percentage of Portfolio |
Percentage of Total Assets 2021 |
| Smaller Companies Portfolio | ||||
| 1 | Polar Capital Holdings plc | 3,735,000 | 4.51 | 3.65 |
| 2 | Somero Enterprises Inc | 3,600,000 | 4.35 | 3.51 |
| 3 | Sabre Insurance Group plc | 3,289,500 | 3.97 | 3.21 |
| 4 | Telecom Plus plc | 2,953,600 | 3.57 | 2.88 |
| 5 | Chesnara plc | 2,782,500 | 3.36 | 2.72 |
| 6 | Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited | 2,675,000 | 3.23 | 2.61 |
| 7 | Vesuvius plc | 2,637,500 | 3.18 | 2.57 |
| 8 | Warpaint London plc | 2,625,000 | 3.17 | 2.56 |
| 9 | Numis Corporation plc | 2,586,459 | 3.12 | 2.52 |
| 10 | Severfield plc | 2,567,500 | 3.10 | 2.51 |
| 11 | Primary Health Properties plc | 2,537,700 | 3.06 | 2.48 |
| 12 | Alumasc Group plc | 2,210,000 | 2.67 | 2.16 |
| 13 | Braemar Shipping Services plc | 2,100,000 | 2.54 | 2.05 |
| 14 | Wincanton plc | 2,085,250 | 2.52 | 2.03 |
| 15 | Goodwin plc | 2,080,500 | 2.51 | 2.03 |
| 16 | Epwin Group plc | 2,037,000 | 2.46 | 1.99 |
| 17 | Brewin Dolphin Holdings plc | 2,015,500 | 2.43 | 1.97 |
| 18 | Regional REIT Limited | 1,973,409 | 2.38 | 1.93 |
| 19 | STV Group plc | 1,968,943 | 2.38 | 1.92 |
| 20 | XPS Pensions Group plc | 1,904,000 | 2.30 | 1.86 |
| TOTAL | 50,364,361 | 60.81 | 49.16 | |
| Income Portfolio | ||||
| 1 | APQ Global Limited 3.5% CULS 30/09/2024 | 696,870 | 4.01 | 0.68 |
| 2 | AT&T 2.9% 04/12/2026 | 541,020 | 3.12 | 0.53 |
| 3 | Citigroup 1.75% 23/10/2026 | 511,539 | 2.95 | 0.50 |
| 4 | Verizon Communications 1.875% 19/09/2030 | 504,560 | 2.91 | 0.49 |
| 5 | Goldman Sachs Group F2V 16/12/2025 | 452,721 | 2.61 | 0.44 |
| 6 | GS Group 3.125% 25/07/2029 | 443,840 | 2.56 | 0.43 |
| 7 | France Telecom 8.125% 2028 | 439,663 | 2.53 | 0.43 |
| 8 | Wells Fargo 2.5% 02/05/2029 | 423,130 | 2.44 | 0.41 |
| 9 | Barclays 3.125% 17/01/2024 | 421,684 | 2.43 | 0.41 |
| 10 | HSBC Holdings 2.256% FRN 13/11/2026 | 415,230 | 2.39 | 0.41 |
| 11 | SSE plc 3.75% FRN PERP | 412,646 | 2.38 | 0.40 |
| 12 | Lloyds Bank 1.75% 11/07/2024 | 410,490 | 2.36 | 0.40 |
| 13 | Banco Santander SA 1.50% 14/04/2026 | 401,504 | 2.31 | 0.39 |
| 14 | Real Estate Investors plc | 383,432 | 2.21 | 0.37 |
| 15 | Burford Capital 6.5% 19/08/2022 | 376,853 | 2.17 | 0.37 |
| 16 | Electricite De Franc F2V 6.00% 31/12/2049 | 335,100 | 1.93 | 0.33 |
| 17 | Just Group plc 9.00% 10/26/2026 | 330,894 | 1.91 | 0.33 |
| 18 | JPMorgan Chase F2F 1.00% 28/04/2026 | 330,127 | 1.90 | 0.32 |
| 19 | Paragon Treasury P 2.00% 07/05/2036 | 326,940 | 1.88 | 0.32 |
| 20 | HSBC Holdings F2F 3.00% 29/05/2030 | 323,700 | 1.86 | 0.32 |
| TOTAL | 8,481,943 | 48.86 | 8.28 | |
As at 31 December 2020
|
Position |
Company |
Market Value £000 |
Percentage of Portfolio |
Percentage of Total Assets 2020 |
|
Smaller Companies Portfolio
|
||||
| 1 | Polar Capital Holdings plc | 3,252,400 | 4.69 | 3.57 |
| 2 | Sabre Insurance Group plc | 2,917,075 | 4.21 | 3.20 |
| 3 | Telecom Plus plc | 2,868,000 | 4.14 | 3.14 |
| 4 | Chesnara plc | 2,798,150 | 4.04 | 3.07 |
| 5 | Primary Health Properties plc | 2,667,000 | 3.85 | 2.92 |
| 6 | Numis Corporation plc | 2,493,750 | 3.60 | 2.73 |
| 7 | Severfield plc | 2,163,800 | 3.12 | 2.37 |
| 8 | Goodwin plc | 2,107,000 | 3.04 | 2.31 |
| 9 | Somero Enterprises Inc | 2,039,713 | 2.94 | 2.24 |
| 10 | Ocean Wilsons Holdings Limited | 2,012,750 | 2.90 | 2.21 |
| 11 | Clipper Logistics plc | 1,820,800 | 2.63 | 2.00 |
| 12 | Brewin Dolphin Holdings plc | 1,769,000 | 2.55 | 1.94 |
| 13 | Epwin Group plc | 1,765,400 | 2.55 | 1.94 |
| 14 | FDM Group Holdings plc | 1,764,680 | 2.55 | 1.93 |
| 15 | Regional Reit Limited | 1,764,386 | 2.55 | 1.93 |
| 16 | XPS Pensions Group plc | 1,748,250 | 2.52 | 1.92 |
| 17 | James Halstead plc | 1,659,200 | 2.39 | 1.82 |
| 18 | Wincanton plc | 1,631,846 | 2.35 | 1.79 |
| 19 | Boot (Henry) plc | 1,606,500 | 2.32 | 1.76 |
| 20 | STV Group plc | 1,604,159 | 2.31 | 1.76 |
| TOTAL | 42,453,859 | 61.25 | 46.55 | |
| Income Portfolio | ||||
| 1 | Pershing Square Holdings 5.50% 15/07/2022 | 772,559 | 3.73 | 0.85 |
| 2 | Value & Income Trust 11.00% 31/03/2021 | 733,575 | 3.54 | 0.80 |
| 3 | APQ Global Limited 3.5% CULS 30/09/2024 | 696,870 | 3.37 | 0.76 |
| 4 | Credit Suisse Group 2.75% 08/08/2025 | 654,577 | 3.16 | 0.72 |
| 5 | AT&T 2.9% 04/12/2026 | 554,276 | 2.68 | 0.61 |
| 6 | Verizon Communications 1.875% 19/09/2030 | 535,380 | 2.59 | 0.59 |
| 7 | Citigroup 1.75% 23/10/2026 | 526,522 | 2.54 | 0.58 |
| 8 | UK Municipal Bonds Agency 1.625% 26/08/2060 | 522,141 | 2.52 | 0.57 |
| 9 | GS Group 3.125% 25/07/2029 | 467,796 | 2.26 | 0.51 |
| 10 | RM plc ZDP | 465,400 | 2.25 | 0.51 |
| 11 | France Telecom 8.125% 2028 | 463,188 | 2.24 | 0.51 |
| 12 | British American Tobacco plc 4% 04/09/2026 | 459,454 | 2.22 | 0.50 |
| 13 | Wells Fargo 2.5% 02/05/2029 | 441,267 | 2.13 | 0.48 |
| 14 | HSBC Holdings 2.256% FRN 13/11/2026 | 425,932 | 2.06 | 0.47 |
| 15 | Barclays 3.125% 17/01/2024 | 425,386 | 2.06 | 0.47 |
| 16 | US 0.875% IL Treasury 2047 | 424,170 | 2.05 | 0.47 |
| 17 | Karbon Homes Ltd 3.375% 15/11/2047 | 420,740 | 2.03 | 0.46 |
| 18 | Lloyds Bank 1.75% 11/07/2024 | 413,215 | 2.00 | 0.45 |
| 19 | SSE plc 3.75% FRN PERP | 412,668 | 1.99 | 0.45 |
| 20 | Morrison Supermarket 4.75% 04/07/2029 | 383,097 | 1.85 | 0.42 |
| TOTAL | 10,198,213 | 49.27 | 11.18 | |
Viability Statement
For the period ended 30 June 2021
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, published by the Financial Reporting Council (the “Code”), the Directors have assessed the viability of the Company over a three-year period, taking into account the Company’s position at 30 June 2021.
As mentioned in the going concern section, the Directors have the expectation that the Company will be placed into voluntary liquidation in or around October 2021 and as a result, these Interim Financial Statements for the period to 30 June 2021 have been prepared on a break-up basis, reflecting this intention.
A period of three years has still been chosen for the purposes of viability as the scheme of reconstruction and ultimate voluntary liquidation of the Company remains subject to a shareholder vote.
The Board has also considered the Company's other principal risks and uncertainties in particular:
(i) the Company’s ability to repay the final capital entitlement of the ZDP Shares on either the date of reconstruction or on 28 February 2022 whichever is the later;
(ii) any potential falls in value of the Company’s investment portfolio; and
(iii) the potential impact of COVID-19.
The Directors have also considered the Company’s income and expenditure projections taking into account the fact that the Company’s investments principally comprise liquid securities listed on recognised stock exchanges and are satisfied that the Company has sufficient cash and liquid assets to be able to meet its liabilities as they fall due and to continue in operation on a solvent basis to June 2024, regardless of whether the scheme of reconstruction is approved and the Company is placed into voluntary liquidation.
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
For the period ended 30 June 2021
| Period ended 30 June 2021 | Period ended 30 June 2020 | ||||
| Revenue | Capital | Total | Total | ||
| Notes | GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | |
| Net gains/(losses) on financial assets designated as at fair value through profit or loss | 8 | - | 11,978,052 | 11,978,052 | (23,379,166) |
| Gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments | - | 27,486 | 27,486 | (263,264) | |
| Investment income | 3 | 1,663,614 | - | 1,663,614 | 1,048,112 |
| Foreign exchange gains/(losses) | 4 | 211 | (13,076) | (12,865) | (37,443) |
| Total income and gains/(losses) | 1,663,825 | 11,992,462 | 13,656,287 | (22,631,761) | |
| Expenses | 4 | (440,099) | (298,559) | (738,658) | (633,961) |
| Return/(loss) on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation | 1,223,726 | 11,693,903 | 12,917,629 | (23,265,722) | |
| Interest payable and similar charges | 5 | - | (640,185) | (640,185) | (619,728) |
| Return/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation | 1,223,726 | 11,053,718 | 12,277,444 | (23,885,450) | |
| Taxation on ordinary activities | - | - | - | - | |
| Other comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | |
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period attributable to Ordinary Shareholders | 1,223,726 | 11,053,718 | 12,277,444 | (23,885,450) | |
| Pence | Pence | Pence | Pence | ||
| Return/(loss) per Ordinary Share | 7 | 7.74 | 69.89 | 77.63 | (151.01) |
| Dividend per Ordinary Share | 6 | 11.50 | - | 11.50 | 11.50 |
| Return per ZDP Share | 7 | - | 3.02 | 3.02 | 2.92 |
The supplementary revenue return and capital return columns have been prepared in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice (“SORP”) issued by the AIC.
In arriving at the results for the financial period, all amounts above related to continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued in the period.
The Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements form an integral part of the Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements.
Condensed Statement of Financial Position (unaudited)
As at 30 June 2021
| 30 June 2021 | 31 December 2020 | ||
| Notes | GBP | GBP | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||
| Financial assets designated as at fair value through profit or loss | 8 | 100,185,567 | 90,003,736 |
| Receivables | 9 | 337,642 | 458,353 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,917,289 | 609,466 | |
| Derivative financial instruments | - | 132,269 | |
| TOTAL ASSETS | 102,440,498 | 91,203,824 | |
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | |||
| Derivative financial instruments | 7,734 | - | |
| Payables - due within one year | 10 | 387,364 | 257,133 |
| ZDP Shares | 11 | 34,619,589 | 33,979,404 |
| TOTAL LIABILITIES | 35,014,687 | 68,215,941 | |
| NET ASSETS | 67,425,811 | 22,987,883 | |
| EQUITY | |||
| Share capital and premium | 12 | 27,420,824 | 27,420,824 |
| Revenue reserve | 1,359,254 | 1,954,448 | |
| Capital reserve | 33,425,895 | 22,372,177 | |
| Other reserves | 13 | 5,219,838 | 5,219,838 |
| TOTAL EQUITY | 67,425,811 | 56,967,287 | |
| Pence | Pence | ||
| Net asset value per Ordinary Share (per Articles) | 426.32* | 360.21 | |
| Net asset value per Ordinary Share (per IFRS) | 426.30 | 360.17 | |
| Net asset value per ZDP Share (per Articles) | 163.05 | 160.02 | |
| Net asset value per ZDP Share (per IFRS) | 163.06 | 160.05 |
*The difference between the NAV shown above and the published NAV is due to the accrual in these interim financial statements of certain costs of restructuring.
The Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 16 September 2021 and signed on its behalf by:
Nigel Ward
Chairman
The Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements form an integral part of the Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements.
Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (unaudited)
For the period ended 30 June 2021
| Period ended 30 June 2021 | Period ended 30 June 2020 | ||
| Notes | GBP | GBP | |
| Operating activities | |||
| Return/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation | 12,277,444 | (23,885,450) | |
| Net (gains)/losses on financial assets designated as at fair value through profit or loss | 8 | (11,978,052) | 23,379,166 |
| Dividend income | 3 | (1,465,808) | (821,184) |
| Interest income | 3 | (197,806) | (226,928) |
| Interest expense | 5 | 640,185 | 619,728 |
| Decrease in derivative financial assets | 132,269 | 158,013 | |
| Increase in derivative financial liabilities | 7,734 | 19,584 | |
| Increase/(decrease) in payables and appropriations excluding amount due to brokers | 10 | 130,231 | (45,296) |
| Increase in receivables excluding accrued investment income and due from brokers | 9 | (6,433) | (9,790) |
| Net cash flow used in operating activities before investment income | (460,236) | (812,157) | |
| Investment income received | 1,792,614 | 1,183,957 | |
| Net cash flow from operating activities before taxation | 1,332,378 | 371,800 | |
| Tax paid | - | - | |
| Net cash flow from operating activities | 1,332,378 | 371,800 | |
| Investing activities | |||
| Purchase of financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss | (12,953,049) | (15,233,430) | |
| Sale of financial assets designated at fair value through profit or loss | 14,747,414 | 15,803,301 | |
| Net cash flow from investing activities | 1,794,365 | 569,871 | |
| Financing activities | |||
| Equity dividends paid | 6 | (1,818,920) | (1,818,920) |
| Net cash flow used in financing activities | (1,818,920) | (1,818,920) | |
| Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 1,307,823 | (877,249) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 609,466 | 2,324,683 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | 1,917,289 | 1,447,434 |
The Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements form an integral part of the Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements.
Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity (unaudited)
As at 30 June 2021
| Share Capital and Premium | Revenue Reserve | Capital Reserve | Other Reserves | Total | ||
| 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2021 | ||
| Note | GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | |
| Balances as at 1 January 2021 | 27,420,824 | 1,954,448 | 22,372,177 | 5,219,838 | 56,967,287 | |
| Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to Ordinary Shareholders | - | 1,223,726 | 11,053,718 | - | 12,277,444 | |
| Dividends | 6 | - | (1,818,920) | - | - | (1,818,920) |
| Balances as at 30 June 2021 | 27,420,824 | 1,359,254 | 33,425,895 | 5,219,838 | 67,329,311 | |
| Share Capital and Premium | Revenue Reserve |
Capital Reserve |
Other Reserves |
Total | ||
| 30 June 2020 | 30 June 2020 | 30 June 2020 | 30 June 2020 | 30 June 2020 | ||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | ||
| Balances as at 1 January 2020 | 27,420,824 | 3,417,227 | 37,705,938 | 5,219,838 | 73,763,827 | |
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period attributable to Ordinary Shareholders | - | 722,804 | (24,608,253) | - | (23,885,449) | |
| Dividends | 6 | - | (1,818,920) | - | - | (1,818,920) |
| Balances as at 30 June 2020 | 27,420,824 | 2,321,111 | 13,097,685 | 5,219,838 | 48,059,458 |
The Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements form an integral part of the Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements.
Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)
For the period ended 30 June 2021
- ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Basis of Preparation
The for the six months ended 30 June 2021 have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 “Interim Financial Reporting” as adopted by the European Union (“EU”), the AIC’s SORP (as revised in January 2017) and applicable legal and regulatory requirements of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008.
The Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements do not include all the information and disclosures in the Annual Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2020.
The accounting policies and methods of computation followed in these Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements are consistent with those of the latest Annual Audited Financial Statement for the year ended 31 December 2020 which were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as adopted by the EU.
Given the expectation that the Company will be placed into voluntary liquidation in or around October 2021, these Interim Financial Statements for the period to 30 June 2021 have been prepared on a break-up basis. As a result, all assets are classified as current and are stated at their estimated recoverable amounts and all creditors are classified as falling due within one year. As the assets of the Company are already stated at amounts which approximate their fair value this has not resulted in any adjustment to the Net Asset Value of the Company and the Directors believe that fair value equates to recoverable amounts. A provision towards certain costs associated with the scheme of reconstruction has been included within these Interim Financial Statements.
(b) Presentation of Information
The Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements have been prepared on a break-up basis. As a result, all assets are classified as current and are stated at their estimated recoverable amounts and all creditors are classified as falling due within one year.
In order to better reflect the activities of an Investment Company and in accordance with the guidance issued by the Association of the Investment Companies (“AIC”), supplementary information which analyses the Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income between items of capital and revenue nature has been presented within the Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income.
2 OPERATING SEGMENTS
The Company has two reportable segments, being the Income Portfolio and the Smaller Companies Portfolio. Each of these portfolios is managed separately as they entail different investment objectives and strategies and contain investments in different products.
For each of the portfolios, the Board reviews internal management reports on a quarterly basis. The objectives and principal investment products of the respective reportable segments are as follows:
| Investment objectives and principal investments products | |
| Income Portfolio | To enhance income and control risk by investing in fixed interest securities, including convertible securities, structured investments across a range of asset classes, shares of other investment companies, including property investment companies, and open-ended fixed interest funds. |
| Small Companies Portfolio | To maximise income and capital growth through investments in smaller capitalised UK companies. |
Information regarding the results of each reportable segment follows. Performance is measured based on the change in value of each portfolio, as included in the internal management reports that are reviewed by the Board.
Segmental information is measured on the same basis as that used in the preparation of the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements.
| Smaller | |||||||
| Income | Companies | ||||||
| Portfolio | Portfolio | Unallocated | Total | ||||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | ||||
| 30 June 2021 | |||||||
| External revenues: | |||||||
| Net (losses)/gains on financial assets designated as at fair value through profit or loss | (244,107) | 12,222,159 | - | 11,978,052 | |||
| Gains on derivative financial instruments | 27,486 | - | - | 27,486 | |||
| Investment income: | |||||||
| Dividend income | 65,620 | 1,400,188 | - | 1,465,808 | |||
| Bond income | 197,806 | - | - | 197,806 | |||
| Foreign exchange loss | - | - | (12,865) | (12,865) | |||
| Total income/(losses) | 46,805 | 13,622,347 | (12,865) | 13,656,287 | |||
| Expenses | - | - | (738,658) | (835,158) | |||
| Interest payable and similar charges | - | - | (640,185) | (640,185) | |||
| Total comprehensive income/(loss) for the period attributable to shareholders | 46,805 | 13,622,347 | (1,391,708) | 12,277,444 | |||
| Smaller | |||||||
| Income | Companies | ||||||
| Portfolio | Portfolio | Unallocated | Total | ||||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | ||||
| 30 June 2021 | |||||||
| Financial assets designated as at fair value through profit or loss | 17,359,471 | 82,826,096 | - | 100,185,567 | |||
| Receivables | 308,351 | 29,291 | - | 337,642 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 3,221,510 | (1,304,221) | - | 1,917,289 | |||
| Total assets | 20,889,332 | 81,551,166 | - | 102,440,498 | |||
| Derivative financial instruments | 7,734 | - | - | 7,734 | |||
| Payables | - | - | 35,006,953 | 35,006,953 | |||
| Total current liabilities | 7,734 | - | 35,006,953 | 35,006,953 | |||
| Smaller | |||||||
| Income | Companies | ||||||
| Portfolio | Portfolio | Unallocated | Total | ||||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | ||||
| 30 June 2020 | |||||||
| External revenues: | |||||||
| Net losses on financial assets designated as at fair value through profit or loss | (188,583) | (23,190,583) | - | (23,379,166) | |||
| Losses on derivative financial instruments | (263,264) | - | - | (263,264) | |||
| Investment income: | |||||||
| Dividend income | 73,882 | 747,302 | - | 821,184 | |||
| Bond income | 226,928 | - | - | 226,928 | |||
| Total losses | (151,037) | (22,443,281) | - | (22,594,318) | |||
| Expenses | - | - | (671,404) | (671,404) | |||
| Interest payable and similar charges | - | - | (619,728) | (619,728) | |||
| Total comprehensive loss for the year attributable to shareholders | (151,037) | (22,443,281) | (1,291,132) | (23,885,450) | |||
| Smaller | |||||||
| Income | Companies | ||||||
| Portfolio | Portfolio | Unallocated | Total | ||||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | ||||
| 30 June 2020 | |||||||
| Financial assets designated as at fair value through profit or loss | 19,318,940 | 61,061,781 | - | 80,380,721 | |||
| Receivables | 322,622 | 14,580 | - | 337,202 | |||
| Derivative financial instruments | 28,440 | - | - | 28,440 | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 1,696,763 | (249,329) | - | 1,447,434 | |||
| Total assets | 21,366,765 | 60,827,032 | - | 82,193,797 | |||
| Derivative financial instruments | 26,245 | - | - | 26,245 | |||
| Payables | - | - | 767,259 | 767,259 | |||
| Total current liabilities | 26,245 | - | 767,259 | 793,504 | |||
Geographical Information
In presenting information on the basis of geographical segments, segment revenue and segment assets are based on the domicile countries of the investees and counterparties to derivative transactions. The table below excludes net gains on financial assets designated as at fair value through profit or loss and gains or losses on derivative instruments.
| Other | Rest of | ||||||||||
| UK | Guernsey | Europe | the world | Total | |||||||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | |||||||
| 30 June 2021 | |||||||||||
| External revenues | |||||||||||
| Total Revenue | 1,314,508 | 29,499 | 35,567 | 284,040 | 1,663,614 | ||||||
| Other | Rest of | ||||||||||
| UK | Guernsey | Europe | the world | Total | |||||||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | |||||||
| 30 June 2020 | |||||||||||
| External revenues | |||||||||||
| Total Revenue | 871,327 | 52,409 | 31,653 | 92,723 | 1,048,112 | ||||||
The Company did not hold any non-current assets during the period other than financial instruments (30 June 2020: £nil).
Major Customers
The Company regards its shareholders as customers. As at the period ended 30 June 2021, the Company had no shareholders with a holding greater than 10%. (30 June 2020: nil).
3 INVESTMENT INCOME
| Period ended | Period ended | |||||
| 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2020 | |||||
| GBP | GBP | |||||
| Dividend income | 1,465,808 | 821,184 | ||||
| Bond income | 197,806 | 226,928 | ||||
| 1,663,614 | 1,048,112 |
4 EXPENSES
| Period ended 30 June 2021 | Period ended 30 June 2020 | |||||||||||
| Revenue | Capital | Total | Revenue | Capital | Total | |||||||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | |||||||
| Manager's fee* | 84,444 | 253,332 | 337,776 | 76,028 | 228,083 | 304,111 | ||||||
| Administrator's fee** | 41,655 | - | 41,655 | 42,545 | - | 42,545 | ||||||
| Registrar's fee | 16,956 | - | 16,956 | 22,719 | - | 22,719 | ||||||
| Directors' fees | 73,750 | - | 73,750 | 71,781 | - | 71,781 | ||||||
| Custody fees | 12,461 | - | 12,461 | 12,388 | - | 12,388 | ||||||
| Audit fees | 18,352 | - | 18,352 | 18,473 | - | 18,473 | ||||||
| Restructuring costs | 113,500 | - | 113,500 | - | - | - | ||||||
| Directors' and Officers' insurance | 2,512 | - | 2,512 | 2,820 | - | 2,820 | ||||||
| Annual fees | 12,050 | - | 12,050 | 15,463 | - | 15,463 | ||||||
| Commissions and charges paid | - | 45,227 | 45,227 | - | 78,399 | 78,399 | ||||||
| Legal and professional fees | 27,604 | - | 27,604 | 10,043 | - | 10,043 | ||||||
| Broker fees | 9,937 | - | 9,937 | 23,763 | - | 23,763 | ||||||
| Bank interest | 296 | - | 296 | 2,849 | - | 2,849 | ||||||
| Sundry costs | 26,582 | - | 26,582 | 28,607 | - | 28,607 | ||||||
| (Gains)/loss on foreign exchange | (211) | 13,076 | 12,865 | (2,170) | 39,613 | 37,443 | ||||||
| 439,888 | 311,635 | 751,523 | 325,309 | 346,095 | 671,404 | |||||||
Manager’s Fee
*The Company has entered into a Management Agreement with Premier Asset Management (Guernsey) Limited, a wholly-owned, Guernsey incorporated subsidiary of Premier Miton Group PLC. The Investment Manager receives a management fee of 0.7% per annum of total assets (subject to a minimum of £100,000) calculated monthly and payable quarterly in arrears, out of which it pays fees to the Investment Advisers. The Investment Manager is also paid a shareholder communication and support fee of £3,100, annually. The Company has entered into an agreement with the Investment Manager for the provision of AIFM reporting services for a fee of £19,450 per annum from 1 September 2017. Notice of termination was served on 13 April 2021 and the Management Agreement will be terminated effective 13 October 2021.
Performance Fee
The Investment Manager is also entitled to a performance fee equal to 15% of any excess of the NAV per Ordinary Share (together with any dividends paid) over the higher of the first benchmark or the second benchmark. The first benchmark is the NAV per share immediately following the tender in January 2007 increasing at 10% per annum compound. The second benchmark is the highest NAV per Ordinary Share as of the last calculation day in any preceding financial period commencing after completion of the tender in January 2007 in respect of which a performance fee has been paid compounded at 10% per annum. A performance fee amounting to £nil was accrued for the period ended 30 June 2021 (31 December 2020: £nil).
Administrator’s Fee
**The Company entered into an Administration Agreement with Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited on 1 April 2015. The Company shall pay the Administrator a fee of 12 basis points per annum on the net assets between £0 – £100 million, 10 basis points per annum on the net assets between £100 million – £150 million and 8 basis points per annum on the net assets over £150 million subject to a minimum of £7,000 per month. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party on ninety days notice.
Restructuring costs
As noted in the Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties under going concern, a provision has been made for certain restructuring costs.
5 INTEREST PAYABLE AND SIMILAR CHARGES
| Period ended 30 June 2021 | ||||||
| Revenue | Capital | Total | ||||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | ||||
| Appropriation in respect of ZDP Shares | - | 640,185 | 640,185 | |||
| - | 640,185 | 640,185 | ||||
| Period ended 30 June 2020 | ||||||
| Revenue | Capital | Total | ||||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | ||||
| Appropriation in respect of ZDP Shares | - | 619,728 | 619,728 | |||
| - | 619,728 | 619,728 | ||||
6 DIVIDENDS IN RESPECT OF ORDINARY SHARE
| Period ended | Period ended | |||||||
| 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2020 | |||||||
| Pence | Pence | |||||||
| GBP | per share | GBP | per share | |||||
| First interim payment | 909,460 | 5.75 | 909,460 | 5.75 | ||||
| Second interim payment | 909,460 | 5.75 | 909,460 | 5.75 | ||||
| 1,818,920 | 11.50 | 1,818,920 | 11.50 | |||||
Further details on the Company’s dividend policy can be found on Investment Objectives and Policy.
7 EARNINGS PER SHARE
Ordinary Shares
The total gain per Ordinary Share (per IFRS) is based on the total return on ordinary activities for the period attributable to Ordinary Shareholders of £12,277,444 (30 June 2020: loss of £23,885,450) and on 15,816,687 (30 June 2020: 15,816,687) shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. There are no dilutive instruments and therefore basic and diluted gains per share are identical.
The revenue return per Ordinary Share (per IFRS) is based on the revenue return on ordinary activities for the period attributable to Ordinary Shareholders of £ 1,223,726 (30 June 2020 revenue return of: £722,804) and on 15,816,687 (30 June 2020: 15,816,687) shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. There are no dilutive instruments and therefore basic and diluted gains per share are identical.
The capital gain per Ordinary Share (per IFRS) is based on the capital return on ordinary activities for the period attributable to Ordinary Shareholders of £11,053,718 (30 June 2020: capital loss of £24,608,253) and on 15,816,687 (30 June 2020: 15,816,687) shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period. There are no dilutive instruments and therefore basic and diluted gains per share are identical.
ZDP Shares
The return per ZDP Share is based on the appropriation in respect of ZDP Shares, the amortisation of ZDP Share issue costs and ZDP Share issue costs totalling £640,185 (30 June 2020: £619,728) and on 21,230,989 (30 June 2020: 21,230,989) shares, being the weighted average number of ZDP Shares in issue during the period.
8 FINANCIAL ASSETS DESIGNATED AS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
| 30 June 2021 | 31 December 2020 | |||||||
| GBP | GBP | |||||||
| INVESTMENTS | ||||||||
| Opening portfolio cost | 86,657,800 | 87,991,361 | ||||||
| Purchases at cost | 12,953,049 | 25,538,145 | ||||||
| Sales | ||||||||
| - proceeds | (14,749,270) | (25,806,486) | ||||||
| - realised gains on sales | 3,207,197 | 6,229,665 | ||||||
| - realised losses on sales | (1,019,648) | (7,294,885) | ||||||
| Closing book cost | 87,049,128 | 86,657,800 | ||||||
| Unrealised appreciation on investments | 18,112,924 | 12,291,265 | ||||||
| Unrealised depreciation on investments | (4,976,485) | (8,945,329) | ||||||
| Fair value | 100,185,567 | 90,003,736 | ||||||
| Realised gains on sales | 3,207,197 | 6,229,665 | ||||||
| Realised losses on sales | (1,019,648) | (7,294,885) | ||||||
| Increase/(decrease) in unrealised appreciation on investments | 5,821,659 | (8,211,921) | ||||||
| Decrease/(increase) in unrealised depreciation on investments | 3,968,844 | (4,239,264) | ||||||
| Net gains/(losses) on financial assets designated as at fair value through profit or loss | 11,978,052 | (13,516,405) | ||||||
As at 30 June 2021, the closing fair value of investments comprises £82,826,097 (31 December 2020: £69,305,528) of Smaller Companies Portfolio, £17,359,470 (31 December 2020: £20,698,208) of Income Portfolio.
IFRS 13 requires the fair value of investments to be disclosed by the source of inputs using a three-level hierarchy as detailed below:
Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1);
Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (as prices) or indirectly (derived from prices) (Level 2); and
Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs) (Level 3).
Details of the value of each classification are listed in the table below. Values are based on the market value of the investments as at the reporting date:
Financial Assets Designated as at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss
| 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2021 | 31 Dec 2020 | 31 Dec 2020 | ||||||
| Market value | Market value | Market value | Market value | ||||||
| % | GBP | % | GBP | ||||||
| Level 1 | 85.20 | 85,359,732 | 81.36 | 73,221,136 | |||||
| Level 2 | 14.10 | 14,128,965 | 17.87 | 16,085,730 | |||||
| Level 3 | 0.70 | 696,870 | 0.77 | 696,870 | |||||
| Total | 100.00 | 100,185,567 | 100.00 | 90,003,736 |
Bonds and structured investments are priced by reference to market quotations which incorporate assessment of yield, maturity and the instrument’s terms and conditions.
APQ Global Limited 3.5% CULS 30/09/2024 is held at level 3 due to low liquidity. The value of this investment is currently derived by adjusting the latest available broker price and applying a 10% discount to reflect the lack of liquidity in this investment. The unadjusted market value of the investment is GBP 774,300. The discount of 10% represents a reduction in value of GBP 77,430. If the discount were to be increased or decreased to 25% the value of APQ Global Limited 3.5% CULS 30/09/2024 would increase or decrease by GBP 193,575.
Derivative Financial Assets and Liabilities Designated as at Fair Value Through Profit or Loss
| 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2021 | 31 Dec 2020 | 31 Dec 2020 | ||||||
| Market value | Market value | Market value | Market value | ||||||
| % | GBP | % | GBP | ||||||
| Level 1 derivative financial assets | - | - | - | - | |||||
| Level 2 derivative financial assets | - | - | 0.15 | 132,269 | |||||
| Level 2 derivative financial liabilities | (0.01) | (7,734) | - | - | |||||
It is the Company’s policy to recognise all the transfers into the levels and transfers out of the levels at the end of the reporting year. Transfers into each level shall be disclosed and discussed separately from transfers of each level.
The derivative financial instruments held by the Company have been classified as Level 1 and 2. This is in accordance with the fair value hierarchy. The Company uses widely recognised valuation models for determining fair value of derivative financial instruments that use only observable market data and require little management judgement and estimation.
9 RECEIVABLES
| 30 June 2021 | 31 December 2020 | ||||||||
| GBP | GBP | ||||||||
| Due from brokers | 15,544 | 13,688 | |||||||
| Prepayments | 13,747 | 7,314 | |||||||
| Accrued investment income | 308,351 | 437,351 | |||||||
| 337,642 | 458,353 | ||||||||
10 PAYABLES
| 30 June 2021 | 31 December 2020 | ||||||||
| GBP | GBP | ||||||||
| Accrued expenses | 210,079 | 104,284 | |||||||
| Trade creditors | 177,285 | 152,849 | |||||||
| 387,364 | 257,133 |
11 ZDP SHARES
| 30 June 2021 | 31 December 2020 | ||||||||
| GBP | GBP | ||||||||
| ZDP Share entitlement | 34,619,589 | 33,979,404 | |||||||
| The above entitlement comprises the following: | |||||||||
| 21,230,989 ZDP Shares issued to date up to 30 Jun 2021 | 22,831,682 | - | |||||||
| 21,230,989 ZDP Shares issued to date up to 31 Dec 2020 | - | 22,831,682 | |||||||
| ZDP Premium | (3,257) | (5,680) | |||||||
| Appropriation in respect of ZDP Shares | 11,787,907 | 11,147,722 | |||||||
| ZDP value (calculated in accordance with the Articles) | 34,616,332 | 33,973,724 | |||||||
| Add back ZDP Premium | 3,257 | 5,680 | |||||||
| ZDP value (calculated in accordance with IFRS) | 34,619,589 | 33,979,404 | |||||||
The fair value of the ZDP Shares as at 30 June 2021 was £34,288,047 (31 December 2020: £33,332,653). The ZDP Shares are classified under Level 1 based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, the valuation does not entail a significant degree of judgement (2020: Level 1).
A Continuation Offer proposal to ZDP Shareholders was published in November 2016, whereby such holders were given an opportunity to either receive their 2017 Final Capital Entitlement of 138p or to continue their investment in the existing ZDP Shares. Shareholders approved the scheme and 91.4% of ZDP Shareholders elected to remain invested.
Following the proposals, 19,523,014 ZDP Shares were elected for the Continuation Offer with a further 1,842,207 New ZDP Shares being issued through an Initial Placing at 140.0p which represented a premium of 1.4% to the opening NAV per New ZDP Share.
1,834,160 ZDP Shares were elected for Redemption at their 2017 Final Capital Entitlement of 138p.
ZDP Shares carry no entitlement to income distributions to be made by the Company. The ZDP Shares will not pay dividends but have a final capital entitlement at the end of their life on 28 February 2022 of 167.2 pence following the extension of the life of the existing ZDP Shares from 31 January 2017.
It should be noted that the predetermined capital entitlement of a ZDP Share is not guaranteed and is dependent upon the Company’s gross assets being sufficient on 28 February 2022 to meet the final capital entitlement of ZDP Shares.
Under the Articles of Incorporation, the Company is obliged to redeem all of the ZDP Shares on 28 February 2022 (if such redemption has not already been effected).
The number of authorised ZDP Shares is 50,000,000. The number of issued ZDP Shares is 21,230,989 (31 December 2020: 21,230,989). The non-amortisation of the ZDP Shares in line with the Articles has the effect of increasing the NAV per Ordinary Share by 0.10 pence.
12 SHARE CAPITAL AND PREMIUM
| Authorised | GBP | GBP | |||||
| Ordinary Shares of 1p each | unlimited | unlimited | |||||
| 30 June 2021 | 31 December 2020 | ||||||
| Number of | Number of | ||||||
| Issued | Shares | Shares | |||||
| Number of shares in issue at the start of the period/year | 15,816,687 | 15,816,687 | |||||
| Number of shares in issue at the end of the period/year | 15,816,687 | 15,816,687 | |||||
| Issued and fully paid capital at the end of the period/year | £196,606 | £196,606 | |||||
| Share Capital | Share Premium | Total | Total | ||||
| 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2021 | 30 June 2021 | 31 December 2020 | ||||
| GBP | GBP | GBP | GBP | ||||
| Opening share capital and premium | 196,606 | 27,224,218 | 27,420,824 | 27,420,824 | |||
| Closing share capital and premium | 196,606 | 27,224,218 | 27,420,824 | 27,420,824 | |||
The Ordinary Shares (excluding treasury shares) are entitled to participate in all dividends and distributions of the Company. On a winding-up holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to participate in the distribution and the holders of Ordinary Shares are entitled to receive notice of and attend and vote at all General Meetings of the Company.
The issued and fully paid capital as at 30 June 2021 was £196,606 (31 December 2020: £196,606).
13 OTHER RESERVES
TREASURY RESERVE
| 30 June 2021 | 31 December 2020 | |||||
| GBP | GBP | |||||
| Balance as at the beginning of the period/year | (4,780,162) | (4,780,162) | ||||
| Balance as at the end of the period/year | (4,780,162) | (4,780,162) | ||||
The other reserves presented on the Statement of Financial Position comprise the treasury reserve of (£4,780,162) and special reserve of £10,000,000 totalling £5,219,838.
ORDINARY SHARES HELD IN TREASURY
| 30 June 2021 | 31 December 2020 | |||||
| No. Shares | No. Shares | |||||
| Balance as at the beginning of the period/year | 1,325,972 | 1,325,972 | ||||
| Balance as at the end of the period/year | 1,325,972 | 1,325,972 | ||||
A Special reserve of £10,000,000 was created on the cancellation of part of the Company’s Share premium account.
14 RELATED PARTIES
Premier Asset Management (Guernsey) Limited is the Company’s Investment Manager and operates under the terms of the Management Agreement in force which delegates its authority over the Company’s investment portfolios.
£337,776 (30 June 2020: £304,111) of costs were incurred by the Company with this related party in the period, of which £177,285 (31 December 2020: £152,849) was due to this related party as at 30 June 2021.
During the period ended 30 June 2021, £nil (30 June 2020: £nil) was charged as performance fees of which, £nil (31 December 2020: £nil) remained payable at period end.
The Directors’ remuneration is disclosed in Note 4.
David Warr holds 63,000 (31 December 2020: 63,000) Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company, which represents an interest of 0.40% (31 December 2020: 0.40%) of the Company’s Ordinary Shares in issue as at 30 June 2021.
Nigel Sidebottom holds 4,366 (31 December 2020: 4,366) Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company, which represented an interest of 0.03% (31 December 2020: 0.03%) of the Company’s Ordinary Shares in issue as at 30 June 2021, and 5,205 (31 December 2020: 5,205) ZDP Shares in the capital of the Company, which represented an interest of 0.02% (31 December 2020: 0.02%) of the Company’s ZDP Shares in issue as at 30 June 2021.
Nigel Ward holds 7,000 Ordinary Shares in the capital of the Company, via a nominee account (31 December 2020: 7,000). This represents an interest of 0.04% (31 December 2020: 0.04%), and 10,000 (31 December 2020: 10,000) ZDP Shares in the capital of the Company, which represented an interest of 0.05% (31 December 2020: 0.05%) of the Company’s ZDP Shares in issue as at 30 June 2021.
As at 30 June 2021, employees of the Investment Manager held interest in 13,890 Ordinary Shares of the Company representing 0.09% of the issued share capital.
15 SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
These Unaudited Condensed Interim Financial Statements were approved for issue by the Board on 16 September 2021. Subsequent events have been evaluated until this date.
A dividend of 5.75p was declared on 10 August 2021 and is expected to be paid to ordinary shareholders on 30 September 2021.
As at 10 September 2021 the published NAV per Ordinary Share for the Company was 449.09p. This represents an increase of 5.17% from 30 June 2021 published NAV of 427.03p.
On 1 September 2021 the Board announced a scheme of reconstruction offering a rollover into the Unicorn UK Income Fund or a cash exit. These proposals, which will involve putting the Company into voluntary liquidation and the early redemption of the ZDP shares, will be put to shareholders at General Meetings in or around October 2021.
Directors, Advisers and Contacts
|
Directors
John Nigel Ward (Chairman) David John Warr Nigel Sidebottom Sharon Parr Shareholders are welcome to contact the Chairman directly by emailing at: Acorn_Income_Fund_Limited@ntrs.com |
Corporate Broker
N+1 Singer Advisory LLP One Bartholomew Lane London EC2N 2AX Tel: 0207 4963000 (appointed 1 August 2020) |
|
Investment Manager
Premier Asset Management (Guernsey) Limited PO Box 255 Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3QL Tel: 01483 400430 Contact: Claire Long |
Numis Securities Limited 10 Paternoster Square London EC4M 7LT Tel: 0207 2601000 (until 31 July 2020) |
|
Investment Adviser – Smaller Companies Portfolio
Unicorn Asset Management Limited Preacher’s Court The Charterhouse Charterhouse Square London EC1M 6AU Tel: 0207 2530889 Contact: Simon Moon |
Independent Auditor
KPMG Channel Islands Limited Glategny Court Glategny Esplanade St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 1WR |
|
Investment Adviser – Income Portfolio
Premier Fund Managers Limited Eastgate Court High Street Guildford GU1 3DE Tel: 01483 400430 Contact: Claire Long |
Registrar
JTC Registrars Limited PO Box 156 Ground Floor Dorey Court Admiral Park St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 4EU Tel: 01481 702400 Email: registrars@jtcgroup.com |
|
Administrator and Secretary
Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited PO Box 255 Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3QL Email: Team_Acorn@ntrs.com |
Company’s Registered Office
PO Box 255 Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3QL |
|
Custodian
Northern Trust (Guernsey) Limited PO Box 71 Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3DA |
Company Details
Company Number: 34778 GIIN Number: CY0IXM.99999.SL.831 Ordinary Shares ISIN: GB0004829437 Ticker: AIF ZDP Shares ISIN: GGOOBYMJ7X48 Ticker: AIFZ |
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