Annual Financial Report
HgCapital Trust plc
Final results for the year ended 31 December 2011
London, 16 March 2012: HgCapital Trust plc (the "Trust"), which provides
investors with a listed vehicle to invest in all private equity deals managed
by HgCapital, today announces its full year results for the year ended 31
December 2011.
HGCAPITAL TRUST PLC CONTINUES TO DELIVER LONG TERM OUTPERFORMANCE
Summary performance
31 December 31 December % % Total
2011 2010 Change return*
Share price 970.0p 1,006.0p -3.6% -1.2%
NAV per share (diluted) 1,069.3p 1,090.7p -2.0% +0.5%
(basic) 1,089.9p 1,118.8p -2.6% -0.2%
FTSE All-Share -3.5%
Index
Movement
Net Asset £346.8m £348.0m -£1.2m
Value
* Assuming reinvestment of all dividends
Financial Highlights
* Sales and EBITDA growth from top 20 buyout investments of +13% and +10%
respectively over last 12 months to 31 December 2011.
* Valuation multiple of 10.2x EBITDA (Dec 10: 9.7x) and debt multiple of 4.0x
EBITDA (Dec 10: 3.6x) as at 31 December 2011.
* Total available liquid resources were £94m (27% of NAV) with outstanding
commitments of £195m (56% of NAV).
* +15.7% p.a. 10-year compound annual growth rate of the share price on a
total return basis vs. 4.8% p.a. from the FTSE All-Share Index on a total
return basis to 31 December 2011.
Operational Highlights
* £87m deployed over the period, principally in five new buyout investments.
* £62m of cash proceeds from 2011 realisations; full exits achieved in
aggregate at a 56% uplift to 31 December 2010 book value.
* The Trust was chosen, for the seventh consecutive year, as Private Equity
Investment Trust of the Year in the `Investment Week' awards.
Events since 31 December 2011
* Proposed final dividend for the year of 10.0 pence per ordinary share to be
paid on 10 May 2012, subject to shareholder approval.
* NAV per share at 29 February 2012 was 1,080.2p (diluted) and 1,102.7p
(basic); movement from December mainly due to foreign exchange
fluctuations.
Outlook
* 80% of the balance sheet invested in buyouts of which c. 80% is in
companies with a low exposure to the weak macro-economic cycle and only 20%
is in companies where ratings and earnings are sensitive to the economy.
* Market leading businesses, with low gearing in growth segments, well placed
for platform builds.
* Interest in a number of our businesses may result in successful
realisations over the next 12 months.
* New investment will continue to be highly selective by only investing in
businesses that meet our thematic criteria and can be bought for value.
* Owning a portfolio of quality companies run by talented managers should
build significant shareholder value over the medium-term.
Long Term Total Return Performance*
1 3 5 7 10
year years years years years
% % % % %
p.a. p.a. p.a. p.a.
Ordinary share price (1.2) 16.4 8.6 14.2 15.7
Net asset value (diluted) 0.5 7.6 10.2 14.4 13.2
FTSE All-Share Index (3.5) 12.9 1.2 6.1 4.8
Share price outperformance p.a. against the FTSE 2.3 3.5 7.4 8.1 10.9
All Share Index
* Assuming reinvestment of all dividends
Roger Mountford, Chairman of the Trust, commented:
"The Trust has protected shareholder value during a poor year in equity
markets. The portfolio is trading well, the top 20 buyouts having delivered
double digit revenue and profit growth over the year. The Trust continues to
deliver long-term outperformance and offers the prospect of renewed growth in
value for shareholders."
The Trust's 2011 Annual Report and a webcast from the Manager to accompany the
results are available to view at: http://www.hgcapitaltrust.com/.
For further details:
HgCapital
Ian Armitage (Chairman, HgCapital) +44 (0)20 7089 7888
Roger Mountford (Chairman, HgCapital Trust +44 (0)7799 662601
plc)
Maitland +44 (0)20 7379 5151
Rowan Brown
George Hudson
About HgCapital Trust plc
HgCapital Trust plc is an investment trust whose shares are listed on the
London Stock Exchange. The Trust gives investors exposure, through a liquid
vehicle, to a portfolio of high-growth private companies, managed by
HgCapital, an experienced and well-resourced private equity firm with a
long-term track record of delivering superior risk-adjusted returns for
its investors.
For further details, see www.hgcapitaltrust.com and www.hgcapital.com
HgCapital Trust plc
Annual report and accounts
31 December 2011
HgCapital Trust plc announces that the annual report and accounts of the Trust
for the year ended 31 December 2011 have been published. The full annual report
and accounts can be accessed via the Trust's website at
http://hgcapitaltrust.com/sites/default/files/HgT2011.pdf or by contacting the
Trust's Registrar (Computershare Investor Services plc) on telephone number
0870 707 1037.
In order to meet the disclosure requirements of DTR 6.3.5(2), this announcement
includes certain extracts from the annual report below. Any references to page
numbers, sections or notes in the following text are references to the annual
report and accounts, which can be accessed via the Trust's website as noted
above.
The financial information set out below does not constitute the Company's
statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2011 or 2010. Statutory
accounts for 2010 have been delivered to the registrar of companies, and those
for 2011 will be delivered in due course. The auditors have reported on those
accounts; their report was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to
any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis without
qualifying their report; and (iii) did not contain a statement under Section
498 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006.
References in the annual report and accounts and this announcement to HgCapital
Trust plc have been abbreviated to `HgCapital Trust' or the `Trust'.
HgCapital refers to the trading name of HgPooled Management Limited and
HgCapital LLP, who act as the `Manager'.
The objective of the Trust is to provide shareholders with long-term capital
appreciation in excess of the FTSE All-Share Index by investing in unquoted
companies.
The Trust provides investors with exposure to a diversified portfolio of
private equity investments primarily in the UK and Continental Europe.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
2011 PERFORMANCE
MARKET CAPITALISATION £309 MILLION
The ordinary share price fell from £10.06 to £9.70 over the year. A decrease
(on a total return basis) of -1.2%
NET ASSET VALUE (`NAV') £347 MILLION
The NAV (diluted) per ordinary share fell from £10.91 to £10.69 over the year,
following the payment of a 28p dividend.
A total return performance of +0.5%
CASH DEPLOYED
£87 million - The amount of capital deployed in 2011, primarily in five new
buyout investments.
CASH REALISED
£62 million - Cash realised in 2011, primarily from the sale of SLV and Mondo
Minerals at an average uplift on book value on full realisations of 56%.
LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE - 10 YEAR TOTAL RETURNS
COMPOUND ANNUAL GROWTH RATE
15.7% p.a. - The compound annual growth rate of the HgCapital Trust plc
ordinary share price over the last 10 years.
10 YEAR RETURN ON £1,000
£4,289 - How much an investment of £1,000 made ten years ago in HgCapital Trust
plc would now be worth.*
An equivalent investment in the FTSE All-Share Index would be worth £1,595.
*Assuming reinvestment of all dividends
BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS
£347 million - The net assets of HgCapital Trust plc as at 31 December 2011.
£94 million - The liquid resources available (including a £40 million undrawn
bank facility) for deployment as at 31 December 2011 representing 27% of NAV.
£195 million - The amount of outstanding commitments as at 31 December 2011
representing 56% of NAV.
THE PORTFOLIO
HgCapital Trust plc gives investors access to a private equity portfolio of
currently 31 companies, run by an experienced and well-resourced Manager that
makes investments in private companies across Northern Europe in the
Healthcare, Industrials, Services and TMT sectors.
An investment in HgCapital Trust plc primarily provides exposure to a portfolio
of fast growing companies. The top 20 buyout investments currently account for
nearly 87% of the portfolio value. These companies have aggregate revenues of £
2.0 billion and profits of £480 million.
In addition, the Trust has made a commitment to small-cap TMT deals, where it
has many years of experience, through HgCapital's Mercury fund. Finally, it
also holds investments in the Manager's two renewable energy funds.
+13% p.a. revenue growth
The average growth in revenues of the top 20 buyout investments over the last
year.
+10% p.a. profit growth
The average growth in profits (EBITDA) of the top 20 buyout investments over
the last year.
10.2x EV/EBITDA multiple
The average valuation multiple used to value the top 20 buyout investments at
31 December 2011.
4.0x net debt/EBITDA
The average net debt/EBITDA multiple of the top 20 buyout investments at 31
December 2011.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
With a portfolio of businesses that continue to trade well, the Trust has
preserved value for shareholders in a year when equity markets have been weak
and volatile. The Manager's active engagement with each of our businesses helps
them to grow sales and profits, despite challenging macro-economic prospects.
The year in review
2011 was a volatile and disappointing year for investors in equity markets,
with the overall modest gains of the first half more than reversed in the
second. Against a total return of -3.5% in the FTSE All-Share Index, the
Trust's diluted NAV per share, after payment of a 28 pence dividend, was down
only marginally at £10.69 (31 December 2010: £10.91, both fully diluted). After
adjusting for movements in foreign exchange, the Trust's diluted NAV at 29
February 2012 had increased to £10.80.
Share price performance
At £9.70 (31 December 2010: £10.06) the Trust's ordinary share price was
slightly lower at 31 December 2011 than a year before, a decrease on a total
return basis (taking into account the dividend paid during the year) of -1.2%,
reflecting a modest widening of the discount to diluted NAV. However, the
Trust's shares continue to stand at a much smaller discount to NAV than those
of its direct peers.
The modest widening in discount has little impact on returns to a patient,
long-term investor. The Trust's ten-year total return to shareholders was again
more than 10% p.a. in excess of the FTSE All-Share Index. An investment of £
1,000 made in the Trust ten years earlier, with dividends reinvested, would now
have a value of £4,289, compared with £1,595 if invested in the FTSE All-Share
Index.
With the reduction in the remaining period for exercise of the Trust's
subscription shares, and weak market conditions generally, their market price
in the early part of the year was not sustained in the second half, closing in
December 2011 at 53 pence. However, the price has increased by some 34% to 70
pence in the first two months of 2012. I remind shareholders that each
subscription share entitles the holder to subscribe to one new ordinary share,
on 31 May or 31 October 2012, or on the final exercise date of 31 May 2013. If
exercised in 2012 the subscription price will be £9.50 per share; if exercised
in 2013 the price will be £10.25. During 2011, 718,415 subscription shares,
representing 12% of all subscription shares in issue, were exercised raising
nearly £7 million. If all the remaining subscription shares are exercised it
will raise new funds of between £52 million and £56 million for the Trust to
deploy and will further enhance the liquidity of the market in the Trust's
shares.
Dividend
The Trust is managed with the objective of achieving capital growth, not to
deliver any target earnings or dividend. For the first time since 1994,
earnings were negative in the year. This has been due to a number of factors,
most notably from the relatively immature Hg6 vintage portfolio where income
has not yet been recognised on all the investments, and the majority of the
income recognised during the current year has been offset by the cumulative
investment management costs, charged since 2009 on the Hg6 commitment made by
the Trust. In addition, accrued income that had been recognised since March
2007 on our investment in Americana has required a provision through the Income
Statement. Finally, in a low interest rate environment, negligible yield has
been generated on our liquid resources which averaged £90 million in the year
(26% of NAV). Taking account of the one-off nature of factors that depressed
income in the year, the Board has decided to recommend that a dividend of 10.0
pence (2010: 28.0 pence) be paid.
Portfolio
Following a record year for investment in 2010, the Trust deployed £87 million
in the year under review, including £70 million in five new acquisitions.
Realisations generated proceeds of £62 million for the Trust. This included the
sale of five companies that in aggregate were achieved at prices 56% above the
valuations adopted in the Trust's accounts at 31 December 2010 and the sale of
two residual holdings. Total realisations added some £20 million to NAV.
This was partially offset by the unrealised revaluation of portfolio
investments and accrued income, which reduced shareholder value by a net total
of £7.5 million. The Manager's attribution analysis indicates that the growth
in profits of the businesses in the Trust's buyout portfolio was more than
offset by adverse movements in ratings. The effect of changes in the value of
sterling against the currencies in which some investments are held was broadly
neutral.
Despite challenging economic conditions, during 2011 most of the companies
making up the top 20 buyout investments continued to trade well. In aggregate,
the top 20, representing 87% of the total portfolio value, grew revenues by 13%
and EBITDA by 10%. The Manager monitors the trading of every portfolio company
on a monthly basis and reports in detail on the latest trading figures to the
Board of the Trust at every meeting.
The Manager has continued to build the in-house resources available to work
with the management of each business in the portfolio, to develop and implement
strategic and operational change so as to assist in meeting the economic
headwinds and increasing challenges in their markets. Executives of HgCapital's
specialist teams act as board members of every investment, supporting
management in setting the direction of the business, and where appropriate
provide skilled hands-on support in implementing change, often drawing on the
experience gained in earlier investments. The Board recognises this commitment
to achieving strategic and operational improvement in the businesses acquired
as the most important driver of value creation, which will be increasingly
important in a low-growth environment with less use of leverage than in prior
years.
Corporate developments
During the year we announced that the Board had agreed to co-invest up to £60
million alongside HgCapital's Mercury fund. This fund will invest exclusively
in the TMT sector in the UK and Continental Europe, with a focus on smaller
companies, with an enterprise value at acquisition of between £20 million and £
80 million. This is the segment of the buyout market where HgCapital originally
established itself as a successful investor. The Board is pleased to note that,
although HgCapital has like other managers moved up in the scale of its
activities and deals, it has not vacated this profitable segment of the market.
For the first time, the Trust acquired a £15 million limited partnership
interest in Hg6 from an investor in HgCapital funds who decided to withdraw
entirely from investment in private equity. The transaction comprised a payment
of £7.8 million for funds already invested, with the balance by way of
investment in future deals. The acquisition from other investors of interests
in funds managed by HgCapital, with which the Trust's Board is of course very
familiar, represents a further means to optimise the deployment of the Trust's
resources. The Board may from time to time make further such acquisitions, or
indeed might sell an interest, if this were appropriate in the strategic
management of the Trust.
In parallel with these new deployments of the Trust's resources, the Board
decided to gain further flexibility in managing its cash flows by arranging a
facility with its bankers. The Trust now has in place a £40 million three-year
standby facility with Lloyds TSB Bank plc, on an unsecured basis.
Reporting
Over several years we have continually sought to improve the transparency and
clarity of our reporting. In the annual report we describe in some detail all
the top 20 companies we own and last year we introduced into our report a case
study of one investment, to describe its history throughout the period of
ownership by HgCapital. Another case study is set out in the annual report, and
a library of these case studies is available at www.hgcapitaltrust.com.
Late in 2011 we achieved a further advance in enhancing the Trust's reporting,
with a complete redesign of the Trust's website, www.hgcapitaltrust.com, which
we hope investors and analysts will find useful.
In line with this policy of transparency, the Manager also publishes a
pre-close statement on its website just prior to the half-year and year-end
dates.
Prospects
The Trust began 2012 with a relatively young portfolio and less exposure to
cyclical businesses than before. The geographic balance of the buyout portfolio
has shifted back towards the UK, with a smaller portfolio focused on northern
Europe and Germany, and one investment in Italy.
At 31 December the Trust held some £54 million in cash and liquid resources and
had access to a £40 million undrawn bank facility. The prospects for all forms
of equity investment are vulnerable, of course, to instability in European
economies and low economic growth. However, a number of our businesses are
attracting interest that may result in successful realisations in the next
twelve months. The Trust's portfolio appears well positioned and, with the
Manager's commitment to active engagement with the businesses we own, the Board
considers that the Trust offers an attractive investment opportunity.
As a listed investment trust, HgCapital Trust provides an attractive vehicle
for investors to gain access to private equity. I am pleased to report that, in
the Investment Week awards, the Trust was again chosen, for the seventh
consecutive year, as Private Equity Investment Trust of the Year.
Roger Mountford
Chairman
15 March 2012
MANAGER'S REVIEW OF THE YEAR
Summary
In 2011 the diluted NAV per share increased by 0.5% on a total return basis and
the total share price return declined by 1.2%. This static picture fails to
reflect significant activity in buying and selling assets as well as in the
necessary work to build companies which we believe, after taking account of
setbacks some have experienced, will be rewarded in future periods.
New investment activity, whilst lower than in 2010, a record year, included
five new buyouts following three well established HgCapital investment themes.
In total, we invested £521 million, including £87.1 million for the Trust. The
above mentioned new investments were: ATC, a Dutch fiduciary business; Mainio
Vire, a Finnish care home operator; the public-to-private acquisition of Group
NBT plc, a provider of internet domain name management; IAS, the UK's leading
provider of application software for accountants; and ISG, a provider of
software for lawyers and for charities.
In total, realisations produced £442 million, of which the Trust's share
amounted to £62.4 million. The full realisations produced a 56% uplift over the
December 2010 book value, the largest being the sale of SLV discussed as a case
study in the annual report, which produced cash proceeds of £24.2 million for
the Trust. The next most significant was the sale of Mondo Minerals, a talc
mining operation, where the Trust's share of proceeds was £13.0 million. Elite
contributed £9.4 million, with the balance of £7.3 million coming from the sale
of smaller and residual holdings in companies and £8.5 million from the
re-financing of recent buyouts with new debt facilities, improving the capital
efficiency of these businesses.
Our top 20 investments, which represent 87% of the portfolio value, grew
solidly during the year, recording average growth in revenue and EBITDA of over
13% and 10% respectively. Our renewable power generating assets, which
represent 7% of the portfolio value, generated cash, repaid debt and recorded
growing earnings.
At the year-end, the Trust had available liquid resources (including a debt
facility of £40 million) of £94 million. Outstanding commitments to HgCapital
funds amounted to £195 million.
Performance
Share price performance over the year has been marginally negative, albeit
outperforming public markets again. It is our belief that listed private equity
funds are better measured over periods of three, five and ten years consistent
with the long-term nature of private equity investment in generating returns
for clients.
Over three years, the share price of the Trust (on a total return basis) has
out-performed the FTSE All-Share Index by 3.5% p.a., over five years by 7.4%
p.a., and over ten years by 10.9% p.a., net of all costs. £1,000 invested in
December 2001 would be worth £1,595 in December 2011 if invested in the FTSE
All-Share Index and £4,289 if invested in the Trust. As for 2011, the total
return to shareholders was -1.2%, which compared with -3.5% for the FTSE
All-Share Index.
The growth in NAV per share is a lead indicator and driver of share price
performance over the long run; during the year it rose modestly by 0.5% (total
return on a diluted basis). Gains made at the half year were driven primarily
by realisations in the first half of 2011 delivering cash proceeds in excess of
the 31 December 2010 book value; these were eroded in the second half of the
year due to mark downs in the buyout portfolio. This unrealised depreciation is
mostly due to falling ratings and in a few cases declining earnings (see
below).
TOTAL RETURN* OUTPERFORMANCE AGAINST THE FTSE ALL SHARE INDEX
FTSE All-Share Index HgCapital Trust plc
% per Current value of £1,000 % per Current value of £1,000
year invested at the year invested at the beginning
beginning of the period of the period with
with reinvestment of reinvestment of dividends
dividends
1 year (3.5) £965 (1.2) £988
3 years 12.9 £1,438 16.4 £1,579
5 years 1.2 £1,062 8.6 £1,513
7 years 6.1 £1,513 14.2 £2,526
10 year 4.8 £1,595 15.7 £4,289
*Total return assumes all dividends have been reinvested.
Trading performance
The top 20 companies, which represent 87% of the total portfolio value, grew
revenues by 13% and EBITDA by 10% during the year: a healthy growth rate but
slower than 2010 when the top 20 grew EBITDA at 16%. A backdrop of a slowing
economy partially explains this reduction in rates of growth. The balance may
be attributed to some companies investing in their business in advance of
delivering revenues from new products and markets. These additional
expenditures also partially explain revenue growth out-stripping profit growth.
However, it is clear that tougher market conditions have limited the ability of
some companies to raise prices in line with costs, particularly those in the
long-term care sector and in consumer-facing businesses.
Average net margins of 24%, healthy growth rates and good market positions
indicate that these companies have, for the most part, been robust. They are
managed by talented managers, who are very committed, with every manager having
a significant part of their net worth invested in the companies they run.
The tables below show the revenues and earnings for the last twelve months to
31 December 2011 for the top 20 buyout portfolio companies, expressed in growth
bands. Over half of the portfolio by value has seen profits grow by more than
10%. 15% of portfolio companies by value have seen a decline in profits in the
year. Our portfolio companies are exposed to comfortable levels of gearing (see
below). The average gearing in the top 20 is 4.0x EBITDA.
We have taken advantage of the highly predictable earnings and free cash flows
generated by some businesses (IAS, Group NBT, TeamSystem, JLA, Voyage and Manx
Telecom) to use cheap debt to gear our returns. In others, such as Achilles,
Epyx, SHL and Goldshield, the balance sheets are under-geared and the companies
have the financial flexibility to make acquisitions, expand more aggressively
or to refinance and return capital. In addition, during the year, we took the
opportunity to refinance both Lumesse and SimonsVoss, where both investments
were initially completed on an all equity basis.
TOP 20 LAST TWELVE MONTHS (`LTM') SALES GROWTH
Exposure to £2.0 billion of sales that have grown on average at 13% over the
last 12 months to December 2011
Sales growth bands LTM Sales Number of % of top 20
investments portfolio by
£' million within value within
associated associated
band band
(13%) - (5%) pa 119 2 7%
(5%) - 0% pa 153 2 5%
0% - 10% pa 374 5 26%
10% - 15% pa 312 3 25%
>15% pa 1,037 8 37%
TOP 20 LAST TWELVE MONTHS (`LTM') PROFIT GROWTH
Exposure to £480 million of EBITDA that have grown on average at 10% over the
last 12 months to December 2011
EBITDA growth bands LTM EBITDA Number of % of top 20
investments portfolio by
£' million within value within
associated associated
band band
(38%) - (15%) pa 7 1 1%
(15%) - (10%) pa 31 2 7%
(10%) - 0% pa 76 3 7%
0% - 10% pa 99 4 30%
10% - 20% pa 150 3 21%
>20% pa 117 7 34%
Valuation and Concentration Analysis
The portfolio is valued consistently from year to year, applying the IPEV
Valuation Guidelines. Our valuation of each company has produced an average
EBITDA multiple for the top 20 buyout investments of 10.2x.
We continue to take a considered and prudent approach in determining the level
of maintainable earnings to use in each investment valuation. Where companies
have a December year end and we are confident that they will continue to see
growth in 2012, we have used full year earnings for 2011 to derive the value.
Where we anticipate future earnings for companies to be below 2011 levels we
have used the lower forecast figure.
In selecting an appropriate multiple to apply to the company's earnings, we
look for a basket of comparable companies primarily from the quoted sector, but
where relevant and recent, we will also use private M&A data.
During the course of the year, strong profit growth and cash generation in a
number of businesses within the portfolio has led to an increase in their
value, most notably SHL, ATC, Goldshield, Epyx and Achilles.
At Teufel and SPIN, planned expenditure, designed to grow earnings in
subsequent years, has reduced profits. At Americana and Schleich, softer
consumer demand has taken its toll on earnings. At Mainio Vire, we paid a
premium price to buy the business and acquire a platform for growth. To date,
we haven't completed any acquisitions and have therefore written the holding
value down. At Frösunda, poor execution of an acquisition programme has reduced
the equity value.
Fair value classification*
58% Earnings
16% Price of recent investment
15% Written down
10% Net assets
1% Other
* Percentages are based on fixed assets (excluding hedges) and accrued interest
and are shown by value
TOP 20 DEBT TO EBITDA RATIO
Average debt ratio of the top 20 buyout investments of 4.0x
Debt to EBITDA bands Number of % of top 20
investments portfolio by
within value within
Debt associated associated
£' million band band
(1.0)x - 0x (3) 1 3%
0x - 2.0x 97 4 25%
2.0x - 3.0x 87 2 8%
3.0x - 4.0x 211 4 17%
4.0x - 5.0x 745 5 22%
5.0x - 6.0x 359 2 13%
6.0x - 7.0x 464 2 12%
TOP 20 EV TO EBITDA VALUATION MULTIPLE
Average ratings multiple of 10.2x
EV to EBITDA bands Number of % of top 20
investments portfolio by
within value within
Debt associated associated
£' million band band
6.0x - 7.0x 99 5 16%
7.0x - 10.0x 121 6 22%
10.0x - 12.0x 156 4 23%
12.0x - 15.0x 94 3 27%
15.0x - 16.0x 22 2 12%
Balance sheet
Over the course of 2011, the net assets of the Trust decreased by £1.2 million
(0.3%) from £348.0 million to £346.8 million at the year end.
During the year we continued to put money to work, so that 85% of net assets
were invested as at 31 December 2011, up from 74% last year.
ATTRIBUTION ANALYSIS OF CURRENT YEAR MOVEMENTS IN NAV
Revenue return Capital return Total return
Opening NAV as at 1 January 2011 19,371 328,622 347,993
Dividend paid (8,709) - (8,709)
Proceeds from exercise of - 6,825 6,825
subscription shares
Gross revenue 17,159 - 17,159
Government securities realised and - (329) (329)
unrealised net losses
Realised capital proceeds from - 16,528 16,528
investment portfolio in excess of
31 December 2010 book value
Net unrealised capital - (20,769) (20,769)
depreciation of investment
portfolio
Expenditure and taxation (2,597) - (2,597)
Investment management costs:
Priority profit share - current (7,190) - (7,190)
year charge
Priority profit share - net loan (8,017) 8,017 -
recovery
Carried interest - (2,079) (2,079)
Closing NAV as at 31 December 2011 10,017 336,815 346,832
REALISED AND UNREALISED MOVEMENTS IN INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO (INCLUDING INTEREST)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011
Investment name and Net unrealised Realised proceeds in
ranking within investment appreciation/ excess of 31 December 2010
portfolio at 31 December (depreciation)of book value (includes gross
2011 investments revenue)
SLV (sold) - 9.6
SHL (4) 6.8 -
ATC (9) 4.4 -
Elite (sold) - 4.3
Goldshield (7) 4.0 -
Other 2.0 1.5
Epyx (10) 2.9 -
Mondo (sold) - 2.4
RPP1 and RPP2 2.4 -
IRIS and CSG (sold) - 1.8
Achilles (8) 1.6 -
Cornish Bakehouse (sold) - 0.7
Atlas (23) (2.2) -
JLA (12) (2.4) -
Teufel (17) (3.2) -
SPIN (20) (3.9) -
Mainio Vire (14) (4.7) -
Americana (24) (6.5) -
Frösunda (16) (8.7) -
ANALYSIS OF NAV MOVEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2011
Over the course of the year, the NAV of the Trust decreased by 0.3% from £348.0
million to £346.8 million. There were a number of underlying factors
contributing to the movement in the NAV. Positive impacts on the NAV were: the
exercise of 12% of the subscription shares in issue (+£6.8 million); income net
of expenses from the underlying portfolio and gilts (+£14.2 million); and
uplifts on the realisation of investments compared to their carrying value at
the start of the year (+£16.5 million). Reductions in the NAV were caused by:
the payment of a dividend to shareholders (-£8.7 million); the Manager's
remuneration totalling £9.3 million for both the annual management of the
portfolio (-£7.2 million) and long term performance incentives (-£2.1 million);
and the movement in value of the unrealised portfolio (-£20.8 million).
ATTRIBUTION ANALYSIS OF UNREALISED MOVEMENTS IN THE INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
(INCLUDING ACCRUED INTEREST MOVEMENT OF £4.3 MILLION) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31
DECEMBER 2011
During the period, the value of the unrealised portfolio increased by £37.5
million. This change can be attributed primarily to the following factors: net
investment activity (+£45.0 million); profit growth in the underlying portfolio
(+£18.5 million); and a decrease in ratings during the year on those assets not
held at cost (-£20.9 million).
In July the Trust took the opportunity to increase its exposure to the
HgCapital 6 vintage investments by acquiring a secondary fund interest
commitment of £15million in HgCapital 6 E LP.
In addition, a commitment of £60 million was made to the Manager's new Mercury
Fund, specialising in TMT investments in the £20-£80 million Enterprise Value
range.
The year ended with available liquid resources totalling £94 million
(comprising £54 million of cash and government securities and a £40 million
undrawn standby bank facility), which compares with outstanding but undrawn
commitments of £195 million on Hg5, Hg6, RPP1, RPP2 and Mercury. Total
outstanding commitments less available liquid resources represent 29% of NAV
(35% at 31 December 2010).
OUTSTANDING COMMITMENTS OF THE TRUST
Fund Vintage Original Outstanding Outstanding
commitment commitments as at commitments as at
£'million 31 December 2011 31 December 2010
£ % of NAV £ % of NAV
'million 'million
HGT pre-2009 120.0 17.1 4.9% 22.3 6.4%
HGT 6(1) 2009 285.0 85.9 24.8% 155.9 44.8%
HgCapital 6 E LP(2) 2009 15.0 4.7 1.4% - -
Mercury 2011 60.0 59.0 17.0% - -
RPP LP 2006 18.1(3) 1.2 0.3% 1.8 0.5%
RPP2 C LP 2010 33.4(4) 27.2 7.8% 32.0 9.2%
Total outstanding 195.1 56.2% 212.0 60.9%
commitments
Liquid resources 53.5 15.4% 90.2 25.9%
Bank facility 40.0 11.5% - -
Total available liquid 93.5 26.9% 90.2 25.9%
resources
Net outstanding 101.6 29.3% 121.8 35.0%
commitments less
available liquid
resources
1 HgCapital Trust plc has the benefit of an investment opt-out provision in its
commitment to invest alongside HgCapital 6, so that it can opt out of a new
investment without penalty should it not have the cash available to invest.
2 Partnership interest acquired during 2011.
3 Sterling equivalent of €21.6m.
4 Sterling equivalent of €40.0m
Portfolio of Investments
The Trust's strategy is to invest in five sectors, four of them by way of
buyouts of businesses (representing 93% of the portfolio by value at year-end).
Investment in the fifth sector, renewable power generation (7%), is made into
projects through RPP1 and RPP2.
Buyout portfolio
As at 31 December 2011, the Trust's buyout portfolio comprised 31 investments
including a small number of residual interests in companies we had sold, which
were mostly valued at, or close to, zero. The Trust held investments, included
above, which had performed poorly and been written down to zero in previous
periods. This report covers only those companies with value.
TMT represented 57% of the primary buyout portfolio (42% at 31 December 2010).
The majority of this value was represented by companies that are all users of
technology, rather than developers of technology with the associated frequent
challenges of new product development. The common themes that run through each
one are highly visible revenues, strong market positions and strong cash
conversion that permits debt repayment, whilst the businesses expand and grow.
Achilles and Epyx, two electronic market place investments, continue to grow
strongly, delivering double digit growth year on year.
Visma and TeamSystem are both providers of business software and services to
small and medium sized enterprises in the Nordic region and Italy respectively.
Both benefit from high recurring revenues, a very large and diversified
customer base and they continue to grow through a combination of organic growth
and acquisitions.
Manx Telecom is the incumbent integrated fixed and mobile telecom operator on
the Isle of Man. It has generated cash ahead of expectation, reducing its debt
each year.
Three new investments were made in this sector during the year, representing
nearly 16% of the overall portfolio value: IAS, the number one provider of core
application software to the UK Accountancy Practice market; ISG, a software
provider to the UK's legal and not-for-profit sectors; and Group NBT, an
internet domain name manager and online brand protection service provider.
Services investments represented 18% of the primary buyout portfolio (11% at 31
December 2010).
Following the merger with PreVisor at the beginning of the year, SHL, the
global leader in psychometric assessment services, has delivered strong double
digit revenue and profit growth. SHL benefited from the successful completion
of an ambitious restructuring exercise which cut costs, increased productivity
and accelerated innovation and sales growth.
ATC, a new investment in early 2011, has delivered a strong trading performance
in 2011 with double digit profit growth and strong cash generation.
JLA, a provider of equipment, finance and maintenance to laundries had a
disappointing 2011, recording a flat level of profits compared with 2010. There
are signs that a new management team has improved performance with profits
growing in the second half of the year.
Healthcare represented 14% of the primary buyout portfolio (14% at 31 December
2010). We are invested in two areas: long-term care where the payer risks are
low, with a preference for specialist care of people with acute disabilities;
and low cost pharmaceuticals.
Sector by value of primary buyout portfolio1
57% TMT
18% Services
14% Healthcare
7% Industrials
4% Consumer & Leisure
Deal type by value(1)
93% Buyout
7% Renewable Energy
Sector by class(2)
86% Unquoted
14% Cash & other assets
1 Percentages are based on fixed assets (excluding hedges) and accrued interest
and are shown by value
2 Percentages are based on net assets
We own long-term care assets in the UK, Germany, Sweden and Finland. In the UK,
the Government's fiscal consolidation translates into a reduction in fees that
local authorities and social services will pay for care. This resulted in a
squeeze on margins and therefore ratings across the sector have fallen to
historic lows. Voyage, which has a more defensible business model, has managed
to maintain profits and repay debt; however, low ratings have taken their toll
on our book value. In Germany, labour shortages have increased labour cost and
squeezed margins. Casa Reha has maintained earnings through expanding its
estate. At Frösunda, based in Sweden, a poorly executed acquisition programme,
which coincided with an operational improvement project, damaged margins and
revenues, leading to a reduction in the holding value.
Our Finnish investment, Mainio Vire, has traded to plan, although a significant
bolt-on acquisition, lined up when we completed this investment, was not
concluded. Accordingly, the premium paid to obtain this platform company has
not been recouped from expected synergies arising from the further acquisition.
We have therefore marked our investment down and written off this premium
completely.
Goldshield, a pharmaceutical company, continued to grow its core business after
selling, as planned, a weak and declining consumer business. It has seen
earnings rise and debt reduce rapidly; it is now well placed to make
acquisitions and/or commence paying dividends.
Industrials represented 7% of the primary buyout portfolio (18% at 31 December
2010). Here, the common theme is that we are backing companies that own and
develop high quality products based on technologically advanced German design
but manufactured in low cost locations.
During 2011 we realised both SLV and Mondo at healthy uplifts to their carrying
values and delivered overall investment returns on these investments of 4.0x
and 2.1x original cost respectively. No new investments were made in this
sector during the year.
SimonsVoss, the German developer and manufacturer of digital battery powered
locking and access control systems, grew very strongly in 2011 and enjoyed
record levels of order intakes. New product innovation is being positively
received by customers and the company is now focusing on expanding into
adjacent countries.
Finally, our legacy Consumer and Leisure portfolio represented 4% of the
primary buyout portfolio (9% at 31 December 2010). 2011 proved to be a
difficult trading environment for businesses exposed to the consumer and as a
result we have seen a significant deterioration in the trading of Americana,
which designs and sells branded clothing. Schleich, which designs and markets
toy figurines, has also seen a small decline in year-on-year trading results.
Sporting Index, a sports spread betting firm, experienced volume and profits
decline in 2011, compared with 2010 which benefited from the Football World
Cup. The scale of this event distorted year-on-year trading comparison, as do
the current year costs of developing a new trading platform.
Renewable energy
The Trust invests in renewable energy through RPP1 and RPP2, two UK funds
managed by our dedicated team of seven specialists. The underlying portfolios
are divided into four platforms: UK Onshore Wind, Swedish Onshore Wind, Spanish
Mini-Hydro and Spanish Solar. The assets are split into onshore wind at 63% of
value, mini-hydro at 9% and solar at 28% of value. All use proven and
commercially viable technologies within the framework of current power price
regimes across Europe. Each of the platform's operating performance continues
to be in line with our investment case since inception. The investment case for
power generation remains positive as Western Europe faces both a huge need to
re-equip its creaking power infrastructure and to reduce its CO2 emissions.
Mercury
The Trust has made a £60 million commitment to the Manager's new Mercury Fund,
specialising in TMT investments with an Enterprise Value of between £20 and £80
million. This is an area where the Manager has historically made many
profitable investments and has now set up a dedicated team focused on this
niche.
This dedicated fund is intended to target smaller buyouts in the same thematic
TMT sub-sectors but with significant incremental resources added to the
existing HgCapital sector team. The addition of Mercury alongside the existing
TMT team further reinforces the scale and capability of HgCapital within this
sector.
Geography and vintage analysis
At 31 December 2011 the geographical weighting of the total primary buyout
portfolio had moved towards the UK, (up from 45% in December 2010 to 60%) and
away from Germany (down from 18% in December 2010 to 9%) and the Nordic and
Benelux regions (down from 22% in December 2010 to 21%). Our largest investment
in the portfolio, TeamSystem, is based in Italy and accounts for about 10% of
the primary buyout portfolio value.
Clearly we are exposed to developments in each of these economies but also
exposed to growth sectors and to the global economy too, as many of the
companies within the portfolio are exporters.
Prospects
We saw a marked downturn in leading indicators and activity across Western
Europe in the second half of 2011 and we believe that this will continue into
2012. A weakened global financial system, exposed in Europe to sovereign debt
defaults, presents challenges for business and for investors.
Our current expectation is that in 2012 our energies will be directed towards
enhancing the value of our portfolio; making earnings enhancing acquisitions
where appropriate and exploiting the strong competitive positions most of our
companies have in order to gain market share. In addition, we have businesses
in our portfolio that have navigated the downturn and implemented change
programmes which have improved their earnings and competitive capabilities. In
these cases, we will sell if we can secure attractive prices. New investment
will occur, where we can secure a business that fits our thematic criteria and
which can be bought for value.
Our portfolio of buyouts continues to grow profits and revenues at healthy
rates, even in a slowing economy. They tend not to be over exposed to cyclical
trends in demand. Most, if not all, provide products or services which are
differentiated, valued by and in some cases vital to their customers.
Consequently, they earn healthy net margins and generate cash. Each business
will continue to take measured risks in making investments to improve the pace
of growth or quality of earnings, so that we can secure premium ratings on
exit.
Geographic spread by value of primary buyout portfolio*
60% UK
15% Nordic Region
10% Italy
9% Germany
6% Benelux
Vintage by value of primary buyout portfolio*
26% 2011
32% 2010
11% 2009
7% 2008
24% pre 2008
*Percentages are based on fixed assets (excluding hedges) and accrued interest
and are shown by value
INVESTMENTS - £87 million invested in 2011
Five new primary buyout investments were made with a total enterprise value of
£948 million, using £463 million (£521 million invested in total) of equity
from our clients, with the Trust's share being £69.5 million. In each case, we
have applied the knowledge acquired in our research into various investment
themes: compliance and mission critical services; and long-term acute care.
In addition, £17.6 million was provided to existing investments; £10.2 million
of which was a secondary fund commitment, increasing the Trust's exposure to
the HgCapital 6 fund.
In the renewable power business, two new investments with total project values
of £155 million required £71 million of equity from RPP2 and RPP 1. The Trust's
share of these new investments, other further investments and their share of
fees payable via the fund was £4.7 million.
INVESTMENTS MADE DURING THE YEAR*
Company Sector Geography Activity Deal Cost
type
£'000
IAS TMT UK Accountancy software Buyout 25,598
Group NBT TMT UK Domain name management Buyout 16,623
Mainio Vire Healthcare Nordic Specialist disability Buyout 12,330
Region care
ATC Services Benelux Fiduciary management and Buyout 9,913
administration services
SG TMT UK Provider of business Buyout 5,058
software
New investments 69,522
HgCapital 6 E Fund UK Secondary interest in Fund 10,207
LP mid-cap buyout fund
RPP2 Fund Renewable Europe Renewable energy fund Fund 4,110
energy
Lumesse TMT UK Strategic HR software Buyout 1,509
JLA Services UK On-premise laundry Buyout 751
services and commercial
machine sales
RPP1 Fund Renewable Europe Renewable energy fund Fund 568
energy
Sporting Index Consumer UK Sports spread betting Buyout 332
& Leisure firm
Other 102
investments
Further 17,579
investments
Total 87,101
investment by
the Trust
*The numbers in the table relate to the Trust's share of transactions
REALISATIONS
Realisations of seven investments for £52 million at a 56% uplift over book
value in December 2010
Two investments, SLV, a B2B lighting business, and SiTel Semiconductor (held
under Elite), a designer of application-specific microprocessors for voice
applications, were realised in the first half of 2011. Together, they returned
£241 million of proceeds for our clients, the Trust's share being £33.6
million, resulting in an average life to date multiple of cost of 2.9x and a
combined uplift over book value, at 31 December 2010, of 71%.
In addition, the investment in Fabory, the Dutch industrial fasteners
distributor, was restructured into a new holding company, in which HgCapital
clients now only have a 3% equity holding, valued at nil.
During July 2011, we completed the sale of Cornish Bakehouse, returning £0.7
million of proceeds to the Trust. This investment was previously fully
written-off.
In October 2011, Mondo Minerals, a talc mining company was sold, initially
realising cash proceeds of £12.7 million with a further £0.3 million received
in December. Further proceeds, which are currently valued at £2.0 million, are
expected over the next two years. This represents a 2.1x return on an original
cost of £7 million.
REALISATIONS MADE DURING THE YEAR(1)
Company Sector Exit Route Current
Cost Proceeds(2) Cumulative year
£'000 £'000 gain/ gain/
(loss)(3) (loss)(4)
£'000 £'000
SLV Industrials Secondary sale 5,999 24,170 18,171 9,638
Mondo Industrials Secondary sale 6,987 13,043 6,056 2,422
Minerals
Elite TMT Trade sale 3,540 9,441 5,901 4,325
Software TMT Secondary sale 530 3,420 2,890 1,197
(Cayman)- re
Blue Minerva
Software TMT Secondary sale 253 1,585 1,332 554
(Cayman) -
re Guildford
Cornish Consumer & Trade sale 4,200 672 (3,528) 672
Bakehouse Leisure
Fabory Industrials Transfer for 7,474 - (7,474) -
no value
Full 28,983 52,331 23,348 18,808
realisations
Lumesse TMT Refinancing 5,035 5,601 566 625
SimonsVoss Industrials Refinancing 2,164 2,940 776 713
Other 2,824 1,560 (1,264) 132
Partial 10,023 10,101 78 1,470
realisations
Total 39,006 62,432 23,426 20,278
realisations
1 The numbers in the table relate to the Trust's share of transactions
2 Includes gross revenue received during the year
3 Realised proceeds including gross revenue received, in excess of historic cost
4 Realised proceeds including gross revenue received, in excess of 31 December
2010 book value and accrued interest
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
THE TOP 20 PRIMARY BUYOUT INVESTMENTS ACCOUNT FOR 87% OF THE PORTFOLIO BY VALUE
Primary buyout Sector Location Year of Residual Total Portfolio Cum.
investments investment Cost valuation value value
£'000 £'000(1) % %
(in order of value)
1 TeamSystem Holdco TMT Italy 2010 24,432 25,671 8.7% 8.7%
SARL
2 IAS Guernsey Limited TMT UK 2011 25,598 25,598 8.6% 17.3%
3 Visma Norway Holdco TMT Nordic 2006 701 23,156 7.8% 25.1%
Region
4 SHL Group Holdings 1 Services UK 2006 7,991 21,078 7.1% 32.2%
Limited
5 Group NBT Limited TMT UK 2011 16,623 16,623 5.6% 37.8%
6 Lumesse Holdings TMT UK 2010 15,790 16,251 5.5% 43.3%
SARL
7 Goldshield Equityco Healthcare UK 2009 8,545 16,007 5.4% 48.7%
SARL
8 Achilles Group TMT UK 2008 5,226 14,418 4.9% 53.6%
Holdings Limited
9 ATC Holdco SARL Services Benelux 2011 9,913 14,269 4.8% 58.4%
10 Epyx Investments TMT UK 2009 6,388 12,273 4.1% 62.5%
Limited
11 Manx Telecom Limited TMT UK 2010 11,033 11,436 3.9% 66.4%
12 JLA Equityco Limited Services UK 2010 12,227 9,814 3.3% 69.7%
13 SimonsVoss Luxco Industrials Germany 2010 7,901 8,824 3.0% 72.7%
SARL
14 Mainio Vire SARL Healthcare Nordic 2011 12,330 7,627 2.6% 75.3%
Region
15 Schleich Luxembourg Consumer & Germany 2006 4,650 6,801 2.3% 77.6%
SARL Leisure
16 Frösunda Luxco SARL Healthcare Nordic 2010 14,296 6,692 2.3% 79.9%
Region
17 Teufel Holdco SARL Industrials Germany 2010 9,428 6,449 2.2% 82.1%
18 Voyage Holdings Healthcare UK 2006 13,136 5,729 1.9% 84.0%
Limited
19 ISG Bidco Limited TMT UK 2011 5,058 5,058 1.7% 85.7%
20 Sporting Index Group Consumer & UK 2005 6,503 2,777 0.9% 86.6%
Holdings Limited Leisure
21 Casa Reha SARL Healthcare Germany 2008 8,296 2,235 0.8% 87.4%
22 Mondo Minerals Co-op Industrials Nordic 2007 - 2,003 0.7% 88.1%
Region
23 Atlas Energy Group Services UK 2007 9,597 1,856 0.6% 88.7%
Limited
24 Americana Consumer & UK 2007 4,625 1,430 0.5% 89.2%
International Leisure
Holdings Limited
25 Weston Presidio Fund North 1998 1,723 588 0.2% 89.4%
Capital III, L.P. America
26 KVT Co-invest Sarl Industrials Switzerland 2008 5,829 523 0.2% 89.6%
27 Tiger Capital TMT UK 2008 632 417 0.1% 89.7%
Limited
28 Elite Holding SA TMT Benelux 2005 - 254 - 89.7%
29 ACT Venture Capital Fund Ireland 1994 27 26 - 89.7%
Limited
30 W.E.T Holding Industrials Germany 2003 7,775 - - 89.7%
(Luxembourg) SA
31 BMFGH II BV Services Benelux 2007 - - - 89.7%
Hg5 Euro Hedge n/a n/a n/a - (52) - 89.7%
Total primary buyout 256,273 265,831 89.7%
investments(2)
Secondary buyout
investments
1 HgCapital 6 E LP Fund UK 2011 10,087 9,444 3.2% 92.9%
Total buyout 266,360 275,275 92.9%
investments
Renewable energy
investments
1 RPP1 Fund Renewable Europe 2006 14,975 15,806 5.3% 98.3%
energy
2 RPP2 Fund Renewable Europe 2010 6,424 5,202(3) 1.8% 100.0%
energy
Total renewable 21,399 21,008 7.1%
energy investments
Total all 287,759 296,283 100.0%
investments (34)
1 Including investment valuation of £265,421,000 and accrued interest of £
30,862,000.
2 Buyout investments are held through the Trust's investment in HGT LP and HGT 6
LP.
3 Reflecting the draw down of fees and fund establishment expenses in the early
phase of the fund.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INCOME STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 December 2011
Note Revenue return Capital return Total return
2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
(Losses)/gains on investments 13 - - (6,649) 63,529 (6,649) 63,529
and government securities
Gains/(losses) on loans 5(b) - - 8,017 (4,199) 8,017 (4,199)
recoverable from priority
profit share due to General
Partners
Net income 4 1,952 12,165 - - 1,952 12,165
Other expenses 6 (2,597) (2,062) - - (2,597) (2,062)
Net return on ordinary (645) 10,103 1,368 59,330 723 69,433
activities before taxation
Taxation on ordinary 9(a) - (50) - - - (50)
activities
Net return on ordinary (645) 10,053 1,368 59,330 723 69,383
activities after taxation
attributable to reserves
Return per Ordinary share 10(a) (2.05p) 34.02p 4.34p 200.77p 2.29p 234.79p
The total return column of this statement represents the Trust's income
statement. The supplementary revenue and capital return columns are both
prepared under guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies
(`AIC'). All recognised gains and losses are disclosed in the revenue and
capital columns of the income statement and as a consequence no statement of
total recognised gains and losses has been presented.
The movements in reserves are set out in note 21 to the financial statements.
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing
operations.
No operations were acquired or discontinued during the year.
BALANCE SHEET
as at 31 December 2011
Note 2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments held at fair value
Unquoted at Directors' valuation 265,421 232,184
Total fixed assets 12 265,421 232,184
Current assets -amounts receivable
after one year
Accrued income on fixed assets 14 30,862 26,606
Current assets -amounts receivable
within one year
Debtors 14 618 1,826
Government securities 15 48,497 86,498
Cash 16 4,476 3,473
Total current assets 84,453 118,403
Creditors - amounts falling due within 17 (3,042) (2,594)
one year
Net current assets 81,411 115,809
Net assets 346,832 347,993
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 20 8,011 7,838
Share premium account 21 68,096 61,444
Capital redemption reserve 21 1,248 1,248
Capital reserve - realised 21 282,934 274,913
Capital reserve - unrealised 21 (23,474) (16,821)
Revenue reserve 21 10,017 19,371
Total equity shareholders' funds 346,832 347,993
Basic net asset value per Ordinary 10 1,089.9p 1,118.8p
share
Diluted net asset value per Ordinary 10 1,069.3p 1,090.7p
share
Ordinary shares in issue at 31 December 31,822,330 31,103,915
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Board of
Directors on 15 March 2012 and signed on its behalf by:
Roger Mountford, Chairman
Richard Brooman, Director
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the year ended 31 December 2011
Note 2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Net cash inflow from operating activities 7 3,759 4,311
Taxation received/(paid) 1,590 (10)
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of fixed asset investments 12 (87,101) (111,418)
Proceeds from the sale of fixed asset 12 49,623 72,600
investments
Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and (37,478) (38,818)
financial investment
Financing activities
Proceeds from issue of share capital 6,825 50,000
Fees paid on issue of share capital - (1,137)
Equity dividends paid 11 (8,709) (6,297)
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing (1,884) 42,566
activities
Net cash (outflow)/inflow before management (34,013) 8,049
of liquid resources
Management of liquid resources
Purchase of government securities 15 (117,127) (205,535)
Sale/redemption of government securities 15 152,143 198,086
Net cash inflow/(outflow) from management of 35,016 (7,449)
liquid resources
Increase in cash and cash equivalents in the 16 1,003 600
year
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January 3,473 2,873
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December 16 4,476 3,473
RECONCILIATION OF MOVEMENTS IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS
for the year ended 31 December 2011
Note Share Share Capital Capital Revenue Total
capital premium redemption reserves reserve £'000
£'000 account reserve £'000 £'000
£'000 £'000
At 31 December 2010 7,838 61,444 1,248 258,092 19,371 347,993
Issue of Ordinary shares 20,21 180 6,652 - - - 6,832
Conversion of 20 (7) - - - - (7)
Subscription shares
Net return from ordinary - - - 1,368 (645) 723
activities
Dividends paid 11 - - - - (8,709) (8,709)
At 31 December 2011 20,21 8,011 68,096 1,248 259,460 10,017 346,832
At 31 December 2009 6,296 14,123 1,248 198,762 15,615 236,044
Issue of Ordinary shares 1,480 48,520 - - - 50,000
Issue of Subscription 62 (62) - - - -
shares
Cost of share issue - (1,137) - - - (1,137)
Net return from ordinary - - - 59,330 10,053 69,383
activities
Dividends paid 11 - - - - (6,297) (6,297)
At 31 December 2010 20,21 7,838 61,444 1,248 258,092 19,371 347,993
The following notes form part of the financial statements.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Principal activity
The principal activity of the Trust is that of an investment trust company. The
Trust is an investment company as defined by Section 833 of the Companies Act
2006 and an investment trust within the meaning of Sections 1158 and 1159 of
the Corporation Tax Act 2010 (`CTA 2010').
2. Basis of preparation
The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except
for the revaluation of financial instruments at fair value as permitted by the
Companies Act 2006, and in accordance with applicable UK law and UK Accounting
Standards (`UK GAAP') and with the Statement of Recommended Practice `Financial
Statements of Investment Trust Companies' (`SORP'), dated January 2009. All of
the Trust's operations are of a continuing nature.
The Trust has considerable financial resources and, as a consequence, the
Directors believe that the Trust is well placed to manage its business risks
successfully despite the current uncertain economic outlook. After making
enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Trust will have
adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable
future. Further details are provided in the Directors' report (see below).
Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the
annual report and accounts.
The same accounting policies, presentation and methods of computation are
followed in these financial statements as applied in the Trust's previous
annual audited financial statements.
3. Organisational structure, manager arrangements and accounting policies
Partnerships
The Trust entered into three separate partnership agreements with general and
founder partners in May 2003 (subsequently revised in January 2009), January
2009 and July 2011, at which point investment holding limited partnerships were
established to carry on the business of an investor, with the Trust being the
sole limited partner in these entities.
The purpose of these partnerships, HGT LP, HGT 6 LP and HgCapital Mercury D LP
(together the `primary buyout funds') is to hold all the Trust's investments in
primary buyouts and other investments, other than liquid funds. Under the
partnership agreements, the Trust made capital commitments into the primary
buyout funds with the result that the Trust now holds direct investments in the
primary buyout funds and an indirect investment in the fixed asset investments
that are held by these funds, as it is the sole limited partner. The fixed
asset investments on the balance sheet and the investment portfolio (see above)
comprise the underlying investments held by these primary buyout funds.
In July 2011, the Trust made a direct secondary investment into HgCapital 6 E
LP (`Hg6 E LP'), one of the partnerships that comprise the Hg6 funds, in which
the Trust is now a limited partner alongside other limited partners. This is a
direct investment in the HgCapital 6 E LP fund, as shown on the balance sheet
and the investment portfolio (see above).
The Trust also entered into partnership agreements with the purpose of
investing in renewable energy projects by making capital commitments alongside
other limited partners in Hg Renewable Power Partners LP (`Hg RPP LP') and
HgCapital Renewable Power Partners 2 C LP (`Hg RPP2 LP') (together the
`renewable funds'). These are direct investments in the renewable funds, as
shown on the balance sheet and the investment portfolio (see above).
Priority profit share and carried interest per the primary buyout limited
partnership agreements
Under the terms of the primary buyout fund limited partnership agreements
(`LPAs'), the general partner is entitled to appropriate, as a first charge on
the net income of the funds, an amount equivalent to its priority profit share
(`PPS'). The Trust is entitled to net income from the funds, after payment of
the PPS.
In years in which these funds have not yet earned sufficient net income to
satisfy the PPS, the entitlement is carried forward to the following years. The
PPS is payable quarterly in advance, even if insufficient net income has been
earned. Where the cash amount paid exceeds the net income, an interest free
loan is advanced to the general partner by these primary buyout funds, which is
funded via a loan from the Trust. Such loan is only recoverable from the
general partner by an appropriation of net income; until net income is earned,
no value is attributed to this loan.
Furthermore, under the primary buyout funds' LPAs, the founder partner is
entitled to a carried interest distribution once certain preferred returns are
met. The LPAs stipulate that the primary buyout funds' capital gains (or net
income), after payment of the carried interest, are distributed to the Trust.
Accordingly, the Trust's entitlement to net income and net capital gains are
shown in the appropriate lines of the income statement. Notes 4, 5 and 7 to the
financial statements and the cash flow statement disclose the gross income and
gross capital gains of the primary buyout funds (including the associated cash
flows) and also reflect the proportion of net income and capital gains in the
buyout funds that have been paid to the general partner as its PPS and to the
founder partner as carried interest, where applicable.
The PPS paid from net income is charged to the revenue account in the income
statement, whereas PPS paid as an interest-free loan, if any, is charged as an
unrealised depreciation to the capital return on the income statement.
The carried interest payments made from net income and capital gains are
charged to the revenue and capital account respectively on the income
statement.
Investment income and interest receivable
As stated above, all income that is recognised by the primary buyout funds, net
of PPS, is attributed to the Trust. The Trust will recognise such net income
and reflect this as income in its financial statements, once recognised in the
buyout funds. Income from HgCapital 6 E LP and the renewable funds would
normally consist of income distributions and these distributions are recognised
as income in the financial statements of the Trust when the right to such
distribution is established.
The accounting policies below apply to the recognition of income by the primary
buyout funds.
Interest income on non-equity shares and fixed income securities are recognised
on a time apportionment basis so as to reflect the effective yield when it is
probable that economic benefit will flow to the Trust. Premiums paid or
discounts received with the acquisition of government securities are amortised
over the remaining period up to the maturity date and are recognised in
interest income on government securities. Dividends receivable on unlisted
equity shares where there is no ex-dividend date and on non-equity shares are
brought into account when the Trust's right to receive payment is established.
Income from listed equity investments, including taxes deducted at source, is
included in revenue by reference to the date on which the investment is quoted
ex-dividend. Where the Trust elects to receive dividends in the form of
additional shares rather than cash dividends, the equivalent of the cash
dividend is recognised as income in the revenue account and any excess in the
value of the shares received over the amount of the cash dividend is recognised
in capital reserve - realised.
Expenses
All expenses are accounted for on an accruals basis. All administrative
expenses are charged wholly to the revenue account. Expenses that are
incidental to the purchase or sale of an investment are included within the
cost, or deducted from the proceeds, of the investment.
Dividends
Dividend distributions to shareholders are recognised as a liability in the
year that they are approved unconditionally.
Current and other non-current assets
Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised in the Trust's
balance sheet when the Trust becomes a party to the contractual provisions of
the instrument. Trade receivables are stated at nominal value. Appropriate
allowances for estimated irrecoverable amounts are recognised in the revenue
return on the income statement.
Government securities are short-term investments made in fixed rate government
gilts. Cash comprises current accounts held with banks.
Foreign currency
All transactions in foreign currencies are translated into pounds sterling at
the rates of exchange ruling at the dates of such transactions and the
resulting exchange differences are taken to capital reserve - realised. Foreign
currency assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date are translated into
pounds sterling at the exchange rates ruling at that date and the resulting
exchange differences are taken to capital reserve - unrealised.
Taxation
Income taxes represent the sum of the tax currently payable, withholding taxes
suffered and deferred tax. Tax is charged or credited in the income statement.
Deferred taxation is recognised in respect of all timing differences that have
originated but not reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions or
events that result in an obligation to pay more tax in the future, or the right
to pay less, have occurred at the balance sheet date. This is subject to
deferred assets only being recognised if it is considered more likely than not
that there will be suitable profits from which the future reversal of the
underlying timing differences can be deducted. Timing differences are
differences between the Trust's taxable profits and its results, as stated in
the financial statements, which are capable of reversal in subsequent periods.
Investments
The general principle applied is that investments should be reported at `fair
value' in accordance with Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement
(`FRS26') and the International Private Equity and Venture Capital (`IPEV')
Valuation Guidelines, September 2009 edition. Where relevant, the Trust applies
the policies stated below to the investments held by HGT LP, HGT 6 LP and
HgCapital Mercury D LP, in order to determine the fair value of its investments
in these limited partnerships.
Purchases of investments are recognised on a trade date basis. Sales of
investments held through the primary buyout funds are recognised at the trade
date of the disposal. Sales from the investments in HgCapital 6 E LP and the
renewable energy funds would normally consist of capital distributions and
these distributions are recognised as a realisation when the right to such
distribution is established. Proceeds are measured at fair value, which is
regarded as the proceeds of sale less any transaction costs.
Quoted: Quoted investments are designated as held at fair value, which is
deemed to be their bid price.
Unquoted: Unquoted investments are also designated as held at fair value and
are valued using the following guidelines:
(i) initially, investments are valued at the price of recent investment
including fees and transaction costs, unless the prevailing market
conditions and/or trading prospects of the investment result in this price
being an inappropriate measure of fair value and (ii) or (iv) below is
required;
(ii) subsequent to the initial fair value recognition in (i), companies are
valued based on the level of maintainable earnings and an appropriate earnings
multiple, unless (iv) is required;
(iii)where more appropriate, investments are valued with reference to their net
assets rather than to their earnings; and
(iv) appropriate provisions are made against all individual valuations where
necessary to reflect unsatisfactory financial performance or a fall in
comparable ratings, leading to an impairment in value.
Limited partnership funds: These are investments that are set up by a manager
in which the Trust has a direct investment, but is not the sole limited partner
and does not hold a majority share. These investments are valued at fair value,
based on the manager's valuation after any required adjustment by the
Directors.
Government securities: These are short-term investments made in fixed rate
government gilts and are valued at the current fair market value of the gilt.
Derivative financial instruments: Derivative financial instruments are held at
fair value and are valued using quoted market prices for financial instruments
traded in active markets, or dealer price quotations for financial instruments
that are not actively traded.
Both realised and unrealised gains and losses arising on fixed asset
investments, financial assets and liabilities and derivative financial
instruments, are taken to capital reserves.
Capital reserves
Capital reserve - realised
The following are accounted for in this reserve:
(i) gains and losses on the realisation of investments;
(ii) attribution of gains to the founder partners for carried interest;
(iii) losses on investments within the portfolio where there is little prospect
of realisation or recovering any value;
(iv) realised exchange differences of a capital nature; and
(v) expenses, together with the related taxation effect, charged to this
reserve in accordance with the above policies.
Capital reserve - unrealised
The following are accounted for in this reserve:
(i) increases and decreases in the valuation of investments held at the year
end;
(ii) increases and decreases in the valuation of the loans to general partners;
and
(iii) unrealised exchange differences of a capital nature.
4. Income
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Income from investments held by HGT LP and HGT 6 LP
UK unquoted investment income 4,474 7,672
Foreign unquoted investment income 12,591 6,267
UK dividends - 1,396
Gilt interest less amortisation of premium 53 (472)
Total investment income 17,118 14,863
Other income
Deposit interest 23 27
Other interest income 18 136
Total other income 41 163
Total income 17,159 15,026
Priority profit share charge against income
Current year - HGT LP (1,357) (2,861)
Current year - HGT 6 LP (4,914) -
Prior year - HGT 6 LP (8,936) -
Total priority profit share charge against income (15,207) (2,861)
Total net income 1,952 12,165
Total income comprises:
Dividends - 1,396
Interest 1,952 10,769
Total net income 1,952 12,165
5. Priority profit share and carried interest
(a) Priority profit share payable to General Partners Revenue return
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Priority profit share payable
Current year amount 7,190 7,060
Less: Current year loans advanced to General Partners (919) (4,199)
Current year charge against income 6,271 2,861
Add: Prior year loans to General Partners recovered from 8,936 -
priority profit share
Total priority profit share charge against income 15,207 2,861
The priority profit share payable on HGT LP, HGT 6 LP and Hg Mercury D LP rank
as a first appropriation of net income from investments held in HGT LP, HGT 6
LP and Hg Mercury D LP respectively and is deducted prior to such income being
attributed to the Trust in its capacity as a Limited Partner. The net income of
HGT LP, HGT 6 LP and Hg Mercury D LP earned during the year, after the
deduction of the priority profit share, is shown on the income statement.
Details of these arrangements are disclosed in the Directors' report.
(b) Loans to General Partners Capital return
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Movements on loans to General Partners
Losses on current year loans advanced to General Partners (919) (4,199)
Gains on prior year loans to General Partners recovered 8,936 -
against income
Total gains/(losses) on loans recoverable from General 8,017 (4,199)
Partners
In years in which the funds noted in note 5(a) have not yet earned sufficient
net income to satisfy the priority profit share, the entitlement is carried
forward to the following years. The priority profit share is payable quarterly
in advance, even if insufficient net income has been earned. Where the cash
amount paid exceeds the net income, an interest free loan is advanced to the
general partner by these primary buyout funds, which is funded via a loan from
the Trust. Such loan is only recoverable from the general partner by an
appropriation of net income; until net income is earned, no value is attributed
to this loan and hence an unrealised capital loss is recognised and reversed if
sufficient income is subsequently generated.
(c) Carried interest to Founder Partners Capital return
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Carried interest payable
Current year amount 2,079 1,136
Total carried interest charge against capital gains (note 2,079 1,136
13)
The carried interest payable ranks as a first appropriation of capital gains on
the investments held in HGT LP, HGT 6 LP and Hg Mercury D LP, limited
partnerships established solely to hold the Trust's investments, and is
deducted prior to such gains being paid to the Trust in its capacity as a
Limited Partner. The net amount of capital gains of HGT LP, HGT 6 LP and Hg
Mercury D LP during the year, after the deduction of carried interest, is shown
on the income statement. Details of the carried interest contracts are
disclosed in the Directors' report.
6. Other expenses
Operating expenses 2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Custodian and administration fees 445 324
Directors' remuneration (note 8) 189 178
Bank facility fees and expenses 840 -
Legal and other administration costs 1,053 1,432
2,527 1,934
Fees payable to the Trust's auditors
Audit of the Trust's annual accounts 48 46
Tax compliance services 18 17
Tax advisory services - 24
Other non-audit services 4 41
Total fees payable to the Trust's auditors 70 128
Total other expenses 2,597 2,062
The Trust's total expense ratio (`TER'), calculated 2.82% 3.12%
as total expenses
including the priority profit share as a percentage
of average net assets was:
7. Cash flow from operating activities
Reconciliation of net return before taxation to net 2011 2010
cash flow from operating activities
£'000 £'000
Net return before taxation 723 69,433
Add back: Losses/(gains) on investments held at 4,570 (64,665)
fair value
Increase in carried interest payable 943 74
Amortisation of premium on government securities 2,656 3,980
Increase in prepayments and accrued income (4,648) (5,919)
Decrease in debtors 17 2,691
Decrease in creditors (495) (1,276)
Tax on investment income included within gross (7) (7)
income
Net cash inflow from operating activities 3,759 4,311
8. Directors' remuneration
The aggregate remuneration of the Directors for the year to 31 December 2011
was £189,000 (2010: £178,000).
Further information on the Directors' remuneration is disclosed in the
Directors' remuneration report.
9. Taxation on ordinary activities
(a) Analysis of charge in the year 2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Current tax:
UK corporation tax - 2,438
Income streaming relief - (2,438)
Prior year adjustment - 50
Total current tax (note 9(b)) - 50
(b) Factors affecting current tax charge for the year
The tax assessed for the year is the same as the standard rate of corporation
tax in the UK for a large company (26%; 2010: 28%).
The differences are explained below:
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Net revenue return on ordinary activities before (645) 10,103
taxation
UK corporation tax (credit)/charge at 26% thereon (171) 2,829
(2010: 28%)
Effects of:
Non taxable UK dividends - (391)
Tax relief from interest distribution - (2,438)
Unutilised losses arising in the year 171 -
Tax in relation to the prior year - 50
171 (2,779)
Current revenue tax charge for the year (note 9(a)) - 50
In the opinion of the Directors, the Trust has complied with the requirements
of Section 1158 and Section 1159 of the CTA 2010 and will therefore be exempt
from corporation tax on any capital gains made in the year.
10. Return and net asset value per Ordinary share
(a) Return per ordinary share Revenue return Capital return
Year Year Year Year
ended ended ended ended
31.12.11 31.12.10 31.12.11 31.12.10
Earnings (£'000):
Return on ordinary activities after (645) 10,053 1,368 59,330
taxation
Number of shares (`000)
Weighted average number of shares in 31,518 29,552 31,518 29,552
issue
Return per Ordinary share (pence) (2.05) 34.02 4.34 200.77
At the beginning of the year the Trust had 6,220,783 Subscription shares in
issue. On 10 June 2011 and 11 November 2011 respectively, 695,810 and 22,605
new Ordinary shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of Subscription
shares. The remaining Subscription shares are convertible into Ordinary shares
on 31 May 2012 and 31 October 2012, with the final exercise date on 31 May
2013.
(b) Net asset value per share Year Year
ended ended
31.12.11 31.12.10
Net asset value (£'000)
Net assets 346,832 347,993
Assuming exercise of all outstanding Subscription 52,272 59,097
shares
Fully diluted net asset value 399,104 407,090
Number of Ordinary shares (`000)
Number of Ordinary shares in issue 31,822 31,104
Potential issue of new Ordinary shares on exercise of 5,503 6,221
Subscription shares
Ordinary shares in issue following exercise of 37,325 37,325
Subscription shares
Basic net asset value per share (pence) 1,089.9 1,118.8
Fully diluted net asset value per share (pence) 1,069.3 1,090.7
The diluted NAV per share is calculated by adding to the current NAV (basic) of
£346,832,000 the proceeds of £52,272,000 from the exercise of Subscription
shares, assuming all outstanding Subscription shares will be exercised at the
minimum price of £9.50, and then dividing the adjusted NAV (diluted) by the
adjusted number of Ordinary shares in issue (37,324,698).
11. Dividends on Ordinary shares
Register Payment 2011 2010
date date
£'000 £'000
Dividend of 25.0p for the year 26 February 31 March - 6,297
ended 31 December 2009 2010 2010
Dividend of 28.0p for the year 8 April 2011 13 May 8,709 -
ended 31 December 2010 2011
8,709 6,297
The proposed dividend of 10.0 pence per Ordinary share for the year ended 31
December 2011 is subject to approval by the shareholders at the annual general
meeting and has not been included as a liability in these financial statements.
The retention test in CTA 2010, section 1159 has been met as there is no
undistributed income from qualifying investments in the period.
12. Fixed asset investments
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Investments held at fair value through profit and
loss
Investments held in HGT LP
Unquoted investments 69,181 96,746
Investments held in HGT 6 LP
Unquoted investments 165,787 121,186
Other investments held by the Trust
Unquoted investments 30,453 14,252
Total fixed asset investments 265,421 232,184
Total fixed asset investments consisting of:
Equity shares 32,436 15,205
Non-equity shares 56,433 13,280
Fixed income securities 176,604 204,445
Derivative instruments (52) (746)
Total fixed asset investments 265,421 232,184
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Opening valuation as at 1 January 232,184 127,204
Add back: opening unrealised depreciation
- investments 5,885 35,830
- financial derivative instruments 1,595 2,294
Opening book cost as at 1 January 239,664 165,328
Movements in the year:
Additions at cost 87,101 111,418
Disposals
- proceeds (49,623) (72,600)
- realised gains on sales 10,617 35,518
Closing book cost of investments 287,759 239,664
Less: closing unrealised depreciation
- investments (22,286) (5,885)
- financial derivative instruments (52) (1,595)
Closing valuation of investments as at 31 December 265,421 232,184
The above investments include investments in companies that are indirectly held
by the Trust through its investment in HGT LP, HGT 6 LP and Hg Mercury D LP, as
set out in note 3 (see above), and investments in fund limited partnerships in
HgCapital 6 E LP, Hg Renewable Power Partners LP and HgCapital Renewable Power
Partners 2 C LP.
13. (Losses)/gains on investments and government securities
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Realised
Realised gains/(losses) on sales
- fixed asset investments 11,455 35,518
- financial derivative instruments (838) -
- government securities (517) (1,484)
10,100 34,034
Carried interest charge against capital gains (note (2,079) (1,136)
5(c))
Net realised gains 8,021 32,898
Unrealised
Change in unrealised depreciation
- fixed asset investments (16,401) 29,945
- financial derivative instruments 1,543 699
- government securities 188 (13)
Net unrealised (losses)/gains (14,670) 30,631
Total (losses)/gains (6,649) 63,529
14. Debtors and accrued income
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Amounts receivable after one year
Accrued income on fixed assets 30,862 26,606
Amounts receivable within one year
Taxation recoverable 7 1,590
Accrued income on government securities 543 181
Prepayments and other accrued income 68 38
Other debtors - 17
618 1,826
Total debtors 31,480 28,432
15. Government securities
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Investments held at fair value through profit and
loss
Opening valuation 86,498 84,526
Purchases at cost 117,127 205,535
Sales and redemptions (152,143) (198,086)
Movement in unrealised capital gains/(losses) 188 (13)
Amortisation of premium on acquisition (2,656) (3,980)
Realised capital losses (517) (1,484)
Closing valuation 48,497 86,498
16. Movement in net funds
Analysis and reconciliation of net funds 2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Change in cash 1,003 600
Net funds at 1 January 3,473 2,873
Net funds at 31 December 4,476 3,473
Net funds comprise:
Cash 4,476 3,473
17. Creditors - amounts falling due within one year
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Carried interest 2,079 1,136
Sundry creditors 963 1,458
3,042 2,594
The Directors consider that the carrying amount of creditors approximate their
fair value.
18. Bank facility
On 24 August 2011, the Trust entered into a £40,000,000 multicurrency revolving
credit facility on an unsecured basis. The facility is available for three
years. Under the facility agreement, the Company is liable to pay interest on
any drawn amount at LIBOR plus a margin of 2.75%. A commitment fee of 1.1% is
liable on any undrawn commitment. No amount was drawn during the current
financial year.
19. Financial risk
The following disclosures relating to the risks faced by the Trust are provided
in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 29, `Financial instruments:
disclosures'. The reference to investments in this note is in relation to the
Trust's direct investments in RPP1, RPP2, Hg6E and the underlying investments
in HGT LP, HGT 6 LP and HgCapital Mercury D LP as described in note 3.
Financial instruments and risk profile
As a private equity investment trust, the Trust's investment objective is to
achieve long-term capital appreciation by indirectly investing in unquoted
companies. It does this through its investments in fund partnerships, mostly in
the UK and Europe. Additionally, the Trust holds government gilts and cash and
items such as debtors and creditors arising directly from its operations. In
pursuing its investment objective, the Trust is exposed to a variety of risks
that could result in either a reduction of the Trust's net assets or a
reduction in the profits available for distribution by way of dividends.
Valuation risk, market risk (comprising currency risk and interest rate risk),
liquidity risk and credit risk, and the Directors' approach to the management
of them, are described below. The Board and the Manager coordinate the Trust's
risk management. The objectives, policies and processes for managing the risks,
and the methods used to manage the risks, that are set out below, have not
changed from the previous accounting period.
Valuation risk
The Trust's exposure to valuation risk arises mainly from movements in the
value of the underlying investments (held through fund partnerships), the
majority of which are unquoted. A breakdown of the Trust's portfolio is given
above. In accordance with the Trust's accounting policies, the investments in
fund limited partnerships are valued by reference to all underlying unquoted
investments, which are valued by the Directors following the IPEV guidelines.
The Trust does not hedge against movements in the value of these investments,
apart from foreign exchange movements as explained below. The Trust has
exposure to interest rate movements, through cash and gilt holdings.
In the opinion of the Directors, the diversified nature of the Trust's
portfolio significantly reduces the risks of investing in unquoted companies.
The Trust adopted the amendment to FRS 29, effective 1 January 2009. This
requires the Trust 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 has the following levels:
• Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or
liabilities (level 1).
• Inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable
for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly
(that is, derived from prices) (level 2).
• Inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market
data (that is, unobservable inputs) (level 3).
The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement
is categorised in its entirety is determined on the basis of the lowest level
input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. For
this purpose, the significance of an input is assessed against the fair value
measurement in its entirety. If a fair value measurement uses observable inputs
that require significant adjustment based on unobservable inputs, that is a
level 3 measurement. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the
fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgement, considering factors
specific to the asset or liability.
The determination of what constitutes an `observable' input requires
significant judgement by the Board. The Board considers observable data
relating to investments actively traded in organised financial markets, in
which case fair value is generally determined by reference to stock exchange
quoted market bid prices at the close of business on the balance sheet date,
without adjustment for transaction costs necessary to realise the asset.
The following table analyses, within the fair value hierarchy, the Fund's
financial assets and liabilities (by class) measured at fair value at 31
December.
Financial assets Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Investments held at fair value through
profit and loss
Unquoted investments
- Investment in HGT LP - - 69,181 69,181
- Investment in HGT 6 LP - - 165,787 165,787
- Investment in Hg 6 E LP - - 9,445 9,445
- Investment in Hg RPP LP - - 15,806 15,806
- Investment in Hg RPP2 LP - - 5,202 5,202
- Government securities 48,497 - - 48,497
Other assets
Accrued income 543 - 30,862 31,405
As at 31 December 2011 49,040 - 296,283 345,323
Financial assets Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
£'000 £'000) £'000 £'000)
Investments held at fair value through
profit and loss
Unquoted investments
- Investment in HGT LP - - 96,746 96,746
- Investment in HGT 6 LP - - 121,186 121,186
- Investment in Hg RPP LP - - 12,426 12,426
- Investment in Hg RPP2 LP - - 1,826 1,826
- Government securities 86,498 - - 86,498
Other assets
Accrued income 181 - 26,606 26,787
As at 31 December 2010 86,679 - 258,790 345,469
Investments whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets,
and therefore classified within level 1, include government securities and
actively traded listed equities. The Trust does not adjust the quoted bid price
of these instruments.
Financial instruments that trade in markets that are not considered to be
active, but are valued based on quoted market prices, dealer quotations or
alternative pricing sources supported by observable inputs, are classified
within level 2. As level 2 investments include positions that are not traded in
active markets and/or are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations may be
adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability, which are generally
based on available market information.
Investments classified within level 3 have significant unobservable inputs.
Level 3 instruments include private equity and corporate debt securities. As
observable prices are not available for these securities, the Board has used
valuation techniques to derive the fair value. In respect of unquoted
instruments, or where the market for a financial instrument is not active, fair
value is established by using recognised valuation methodologies, in accordance
with IPEV Valuation Guidelines. Fair value is the amount for which an asset
could be exchanged between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arm's length
transaction.
There were no transfers of assets from level 1 to level 2 or 3, level 2 to
level 1 or 3 and level 3 to level 1 or 2.
The following table presents the movement in level 3 investments for the period
ended 31 December 2011 by class of financial instrument.
Unquoted investments Accrued Investments
income on in limited
investments partnerships Total
2011 2011 2011
£'000 £'000 £'000
Opening balance 26,606 232,184 258,790
Purchases - 87,101 87,101
Realisations at 31 December 2010 valuation (9,059) (33,095) (42,154)
Total gains/(losses) for the year included 13,315 (20,769) (7,454)
in the income statement
Closing valuation of level 3 investments 30,862 265,421 296,283
Total gains for the year included in the 14,511 (21,436) (6,925)
income statement for investments held at
the end of the year
Equity price risk
Equity price risk is the risk that the fair values of equities (including
loans) held by the Trust indirectly through its direct investments in fund
limited partnerships, decrease as a result of changes in the values of
underlying businesses. The Board revalues each investment twice each year. The
Board manages the risks inherent in the investment portfolio by ensuring full
and timely access to relevant information from the Manager. The Board meets
regularly and at each meeting reviews the trading performance of the principal
underlying investments. If there appears to the Board to be an impairment in
value between regular valuations, it can revalue the investment. The Board also
monitors the Manager's compliance with the Trust's investment objective and
investment policy. The Manager's best estimate of the effect on the net assets
and total return due to a reasonably possible change in the value of unquoted
securities, with all other variables held constant, is as follows:
% change £'000 NAV per
Ordinary
share
(pence)
Unquoted 10% 29,628 93.1
Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk of financial loss in the event that any of the Trust's
market counterparties fail to fulfil their contractual obligations to the
Trust. The Trust's financial assets (excluding fixed asset investments) that
are subject to credit risk, are not impaired or overdue. The Trust's cash
balances are held with the Bank of New York Mellon and any significant balances
are invested in government securities issued by the United Kingdom. Foreign
exchange forward contracts and options are held with counterparties which have
credit ratings that the Board considers to be adequate. The Board regularly
monitors the credit quality and financial position of these market
counterparties. The credit quality of the above mentioned financial assets was
deemed satisfactory.
Market risk
The fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument held by the Trust
may fluctuate due to changes in market prices of comparable businesses. This
market risk may comprise: currency risk (see below), interest rate risk and/or
equity price risk (see above). The Board of Directors reviews and agrees
policies for managing these risks. The Manager assesses the exposure to market
risk when making each investment decision, and monitors the overall level of
market risk on the whole of the investment portfolio on an ongoing basis.
Currency risk and sensitivity
The Trust is exposed to currency risk as a result of investing in fund
partnerships which invest in companies that operate in currencies other than
sterling. The value of these assets in sterling, being the Trust's functional
currency, can be significantly influenced by movements in foreign exchange
rates. The Trust is partially hedged against movements in the value of the euro
against pounds sterling affecting the value of its investments, as explained
below. The Manager monitors the Trust's exposure to foreign currencies and
reports to the Board on a regular basis. The following table illustrates the
sensitivity of the revenue and capital return for the year in relation to the
Trust's year-end financial exposure to movements in foreign exchange rates
against the Trust's functional currency. The rates represent the range of
movements against sterling over the current year for the currencies listed.
In the opinion of the Directors, the sensitivity analysis below may not be
representative of the year as a whole, since the level of exposure changes as
the portfolio changes through the purchase and realisation of investments to
meet the Trust's objectives.
Revenue return Capital return
£'000 NAV per £'000 NAV per
Ordinary Ordinary
share share
(pence) (pence)
Highest value against sterling
during the year
Euro (1.1070) 856 2.7 9,813 30.8
Euro forward contract (1.1070) - - (143) (0.5)
Norwegian kroner (8.5649) - - 1,919 6.0
Swedish kroner (9.9620) 70 0.2 465 1.5
Swiss franc (1.1744) 28 0.1 28 0.1
US dollar (1.5341) - - 8 -
954 3.0 12,090 37.9
Lowest value against sterling during
the year
Euro (1.2037) (57) (0.2) (655) (2.1)
Euro forward contract (1.2037) - - (4) -
Norwegian kroner (9.3987) - - (305) (1.0)
Swedish kroner (10.8286) (16) (0.1) (108) (0.3)
Swiss franc (1.5639) (8) - (8) -
US dollar (1.6704) - - (41) (0.1)
(81) (0.3) (1,121) (3.5)
At 31 December 2011, the following rates were applied to convert foreign
denominated assets into sterling: Euro (1.1972); Norwegian Kroner (9.2748);
Swedish Kroner (10.6538); Swiss Franc (1.4532); and US Dollar (1.55450).
Portfolio hedging
The Trust uses derivative financial instruments such as forward foreign
currency contracts and option contracts to manage the currency risks associated
with its underlying investment activities. The contracts entered into by the
Trust are denominated in the foreign currency of the geographic areas in which
the Trust has significant exposure against its reporting currency. The
contracts are designated as a hedge and the fair values thereof are recorded in
the balance sheet as investments held at fair value. Unrealised gains and
losses are taken to capital reserves. At the balance sheet date, the notional
amount and value of outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts are as
follows:
2011 2010
Currency No. `000 £'000 No. `000 £'000
Forward foreign currency Euro 1,544 (52) 25,040 (1,384)
contracts
Currency option Euro - - 12,520 95
Currency option NOK - - 125,724 543
The Trust does not trade in derivatives but holds them to hedge specific
exposures, they have maturities designed to match the exposures they are
hedging. It is the intention to hold both the financial investments giving rise
to the exposure and the derivatives hedging them until maturity and therefore
no net gain or loss is expected to be realised.
The derivatives are held at fair value which represents the replacement cost of
the instruments at the balance sheet date. Movements in the fair value of
derivatives are included in the income statement. The Trust does not adopt
hedge accounting in the financial statements.
Interest rate risk and sensitivity
The Trust has exposure to interest rate movements as this may affect the fair
value of funds awaiting investment, interest receivable on liquid assets and
short-dated government securities, and interest payable on borrowings. The
Trust has little immediate direct exposure to interest rates on its fixed
assets, as the majority of these are fixed rate assets or equity shares that do
not pay interest. Therefore, and given that the Trust has no borrowings and
maintains low cash levels, the Trust's revenue return is not materially
affected by changes in interest rates.
However, funds awaiting investment are invested in Government securities and,
as stated above, the valuation is affected by movements in interest rates. The
sensitivity of the capital return of the Trust to movements in interest rates
has been based on the UK base rate. With all other variables constant, a 0.5%
decrease in the UK base rate should increase the capital return in a full year
by £242,000, with a corresponding decrease if the UK base rate were to increase
by 0.5%. In the opinion of the Directors, the above sensitivity analyses may
not be representative of the year as a whole, since the level of exposure
changes as investments are made and realised throughout the year.
Liquidity risk
Investments in unquoted companies, which form the majority of the Trust's
investments, may not be as readily realisable as investments in quoted
companies, which might result in the Trust having difficulty in meeting its
obligations. Liquidity risk is currently not significant as about 15% of the
Trust's net assets at the year-end are liquid resources and, in addition, the
Trust has a £40 million undrawn bank facility available. The Board gives
guidance to the Manager as to the maximum amount of the Trust's resources that
should be invested in any one company. For details refer to the investment
policy on page 9 of the Annual Report and Accounts.
Currency exposure
The currency denomination of the Trust's financial assets is shown below.
Short-term debtors and creditors, which are excluded, are mostly denominated in
pounds sterling, the functional currency of the Trust.
2011 2010
Fixed Floating Non Total Fixed Floating Non Total
interest-bearing interest-bearing
rate rate £'000 rate rate £'000
£'000 £'000
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Pounds 160,065 6,071 34,469 200,605 159,841 5,897 16,191 181,929
sterling
Euro 87,448 2,164 28,675 118,287 96,871 2,948 23,401 123,220
Euro hedge - - (52) (52) - - (1,289) (1,289)
Norwegian - - 23,156 23,156 - - 23,116 23,116
kroner
Norwegian - - - - - - 543 543
kroner
hedge
Swedish 6,692 - - 6,692 11,323 - 4,095 15,418
kroner
Swiss franc 523 - - 523 - - - -
US dollar - - 588 588 5,367 - 638 6,005
Total 254,728 8,235 86,836 349,799 273,402 8,845 66,695 348,942
The fixed rate assets comprise gilts and fixed rate loans to investee
companies. Fixed rate loans to investee companies had a weighted average
interest rate of 11.5% per annum (2010: 11.3%) and a weighted average life to
maturity of 11.1 years (2010: 12.1 years). Otherwise, fixed rate assets
comprised two gilts with interest rates of 5.25% and 4.50% per annum and which
mature on 7 June 2012 and 7 March 2013 respectively. It is the intention to
re-invest the proceeds at maturity in another short dated gilt. The floating
rate assets consisted of cash.
The non interest-bearing assets represented the equity content of the
investment portfolio and the financial derivative instruments.
The Trust did not have any outstanding borrowings at the year-end (2010: £nil).
The numerical disclosures above exclude short-term debtors and creditors.
Capital management policies and procedures
The Trust's capital management objectives are to ensure that it will be able to
finance its business as a going concern and to maximise the revenue and capital
return to its equity shareholders, through an appropriate balance of equity
capital and debt.
The Trust's capital at 31 December comprised: 2011 2010
£'000 £'000
Equity:
Equity share capital 8,011 7,838
Share premium 68,096 61,444
Capital redemption reserve 1,248 1,248
Retained earnings and other reserves 269,477 277,463
Total capital 346,832 347,993
As stated above, the Trust did not have any outstanding borrowings at the
year-end (2010: nil). With the assistance of the Manager, the Board monitors
and reviews the broad structure of the Trust's capital on an ongoing basis.
This review covers:
• the planned level of gearing, which takes into account the Manager's
projections of cash flow;
• the desirability of buying back equity shares, either for cancellation or to
hold in treasury, balancing the effect (if any) this may have on the discount
at which shares in the Trust are trading against the advantages of retaining
cash for investment;
• the need to raise funds by an issue of equity shares, including issues from
treasury; and
• the extent to which revenue in excess of that which is required to be
distributed should be retained, whilst maintaining its status under Section
1158 of the CTA 2010.
The Trust's objectives, policies and processes for managing capital are
unchanged from the preceding accounting period.
20. Issued share capital
2011 2010
No.'000 £'000 No.'000 £'000
Ordinary shares of 25p each
Allotted, called-up and fully paid
At 1 January 31,104 7,776 25,187 6,296
Issued as part of placing and open - - 5,917 1,480
offer
Issued following exercise of 718 180 - -
subscription rights
At 31 December 31,822 7,956 31,104 7,776
Subscription shares of 1p each
Allotted, called-up and fully paid
At 1 January 6,221 62 - -
Issued as part of placing and open - - 6,221 62
offer and bonus issue
Conversion into Ordinary shares (718) (7) - -
At 31 December 5,503 55 6,221 62
Total share capital 37,325 8,011 37,325 7,838
The Trust's issued share capital at the beginning of the year consisted of
31,103,915 Ordinary shares. On 10 June 2011 and 11 November 2011 respectively,
695,810 and 22,605 new Ordinary shares were issued pursuant to the exercise of
Subscription shares. The subscription price paid per Ordinary share was £9.50
and total proceeds of £6,825,000 were received by the Trust.
At the beginning of the year, the Trust had 6,220,783 Subscription shares in
issue. Each Subscription share entitles the holder to subscribe for one
Ordinary share upon exercise of the subscription right and payment of the
subscription price. The first opportunity to exercise such right was on 31 May
2011 when 695,810 Subscription shares were exercised. The Ordinary shares
issued commenced trading on 15 June 2011. The second opportunity to exercise
such right was on 31 October 2011 when 22,605 Subscription shares were
exercised. The Ordinary shares commenced trading on 14 November 2011. The next
opportunity to exercise subscription rights is on 31 May 2012 and, thereafter,
31 October 2012, at a price of £9.50 per Ordinary share. The final exercise
date is on 31 May 2013 at a subscription price of £10.25 per share.
Whilst the Trust no longer has an authorised share capital, the Directors will
still be limited as to the number of shares they can at any time allot as the
Companies Act 2006 requires that Directors seek authority from the shareholders
for the allotment of new shares.
21. Share premium account and reserves
Share Capital Capital Capital Revenue
premium redemption reserve reserve reserve
account reserve realised unrealised
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
As at 1 January 2011 61,444 1,248 274,913 (16,821) 19,371
Issue of Ordinary shares 6,652 - - - -
Transfer on disposal of - - (5,911) 5,911 -
investments
(Losses)/gains on government - - (517) 188 -
securities
Net gain on sale of fixed - - 16,528 - -
asset investments
Net movement in unrealised - - - (20,769) -
depreciation of fixed asset
investments
Dividends paid - - - - (8,709)
Net return for the year - - - - (645)
after taxation
Loans to General Partners - - - 8,017 -
recovered
Carried interest to Founder - - (2,079) - -
Partner
As at 31 December 2011 68,096 1,248 282,934 (23,474) 10,017
22. Commitment in fund partnerships and contingent liabilities
(a) Original and outstanding Original Outstanding Outstanding
commitments in Fund partnerships Commitment at at
Fund £'000 31 December 31 December
2011 2010
£'000 £'000
HGT LP(1) 120,000 17,094 22,350
HGT 6 LP(2) 285,029 85,888 155,884
HgCapital 6 E LP 15,000 4,732 -
Hg Mercury LP 60,000 58,970 -
Hg RPP LP 18,076(3) 1,236(4) 1,823
Hg RPP2 C LP 33,411(5) 27,222(6) 31,964
Total outstanding commitments 195,142 212,021
1 With effect from 21 October 2011, £12 million (10% of the original £120
million loan commitment to the Hg5 fund) was cancelled.
2 HgCapital Trust plc has the benefit of an investment opt-out provision in its
commitment to invest alongside HgCapital 6, so that it can opt out of a new
investment without penalty should it not have the cash available to invest.
3 Sterling equivalent of €21,640,088
4 Sterling equivalent of €1,479,000 (2010:€2,127,000)
5 Sterling equivalent of €40,000,000
6 Sterling equivalent of €32,590,000 (2010: €37,302,000)
(b) Contingent liabilities
The Trust's derivative financial instruments held through HGT LP expire on 29
August 2012. In order to meet any potential liability arising on this date, an
amount of £376,000 (2010: £6,260,000) has been reserved for this purpose. This
amount is therefore callable from the Trust at this or any earlier date.
23. Related party transactions
HgCapital and its subsidiaries, acting as Manager of the Trust through a
management agreement and participating through limited partnership agreements
as General and Founder partners of the fund partnerships that the Trust invests
in, are considered to be related parties by virtue of the above agreements.
During the year, priority profit shares allocated to HgCapital were £7,190,000
(2010: £7,060,000) and a carried interest profit allocation of £2,079,000
(2010: £1,136,000) was made to HgCapital during the year.
HgCapital also acts as secretary and administrator of the Trust. Total fees for
the year amounted to £342,000 (2010: £250,000).
At 31 December 2011, the amount due to HgCapital relating to the above,
disclosed under creditors, was £2,165,000 (2010: £1,731,000).
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF HGCAPITAL TRUST PLC
The Trust's Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2011 have been
audited by of Deloitte LLP. The text of the Auditor's report can be found on
page 79 of the Trust's annual report and accounts.
DIRECTORS' REPORT
The Chairman's statement, the description of the Trust's investment objective,
investment policy, rationale & business model, and corporate governance
statement form part of this Directors' report.
The Directors present the annual report and financial statements of HgCapital
Trust plc (the `Trust') (Reg. No. 1525583) for the year ended 31 December 2011.
BUSINESS REVIEW
Background
The purpose of the business review is to provide an overview of the business of
the Trust by:
• Analysing development and performance using appropriate key performance
indicators (`KPIs');
• Outlining the principal risks and uncertainties affecting the Trust;
• Describing how the Trust manages these risks;
• Explaining the future business plans of the Trust;
• Setting out the Trust's environmental, social and ethical policy;
• Providing information about persons with whom the Trust has contractual or
other arrangements which are essential to the business of the Trust; and
• Outlining the main trends and factors likely to affect the future
development, performance and position of the Trust's business.
Principal activity and business review
The principal activity of the Trust is to operate as an investment trust
providing access to a diversified portfolio of private equity investments. A
review of the development and performance of the business for the year ended 31
December 2011 is given in the Chairman's statement, which forms part of this
Directors' report, and in the Manager's review.
Status of the Trust
HMRC accepted the Trust as an investment trust for the purposes of Section 1158
of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 (`CTA 2010') for the year ended 31 December
2010. It is the intention of the Trust to continue to seek approval for
classification as an investment trust under Section 1158 of the CTA 2010 for
subsequent tax years. In the opinion of the Directors, the Trust continues to
conduct its affairs as an investment trust within the definition prescribed by
the CTA and is not a close company as defined by relevant tax legislation and
provisions.
Capital Structure
As at 9 March 2012, the Trust had 31,822,330 ordinary shares of 25 pence each
and 5,502,368 subscription shares of 1 penny each in issue. Each ordinary share
has one voting right attached to it and the subscription shares carry no voting
rights. Consequently, the total number of voting rights in the Trust at this
date was 31,822,330. Further information on the share capital of the Trust can
be found in note 20 to the financial statements.
Going concern
The Trust's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its
future development, performance and position are described in the Chairman's
statement and in the Manager's review. The financial position of the Trust, its
cash flows, liquidity position and borrowing facilities are described in the
Directors' report. In addition, note 19 to the financial statements includes
the Trust's objectives, policies and processes for managing its capital; its
financial risk management objectives; details of its financial instruments and
hedging activities; and its exposures to credit risk and liquidity risk. The
Directors believe that the Trust is well placed to manage its business risks
successfully, despite the current uncertain economic outlook. The Directors
review cash flow projections regularly, including important assumptions as to
future realisations and the rate at which funds will be deployed into new
investments. The Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Trust will
have adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the
foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis
in preparing the annual report and accounts.
Borrowing facility
The Board keeps the management of the Trust's resources under constant review
and regularly considers long-term cash flow projections for the Trust and the
use of gearing.
During 2011 the Board finalised a £40 million three-year multicurrency standby
facility with Lloyds TSB Bank plc, on an unsecured basis. The Directors believe
the borrowing facility gives the Board further flexibility in managing the
Trust's resources, without adding undue risk. The facility was unutilised as at
31 December 2011.
Performance
In the year to 31 December 2011, the Trust's NAV per share (including dividends
re-invested) increased by 0.5%. This compares with a decrease in the FTSE
All-Share Index (total return) of -3.5%. The Trust's ordinary share price
decreased by -1.2% on a total return basis.
Results and dividend
The total return for the Trust is set out in the income statement. The total
return for the year, after taxation, was £723,000 (2010: £69,383,000) of which
-£645,000 was revenue return (2010: £10,053,000).
The Directors recommend the payment of a dividend of 10.0p per ordinary share
for the year ended 31 December 2011 (2010: 28.0p). Subject to approval of this
dividend at the forthcoming annual general meeting (`AGM'), it will be paid on
15 May 2012 to shareholders on the register of members at the close of business
on 10 April 2012.
Key performance indicators
Each Board meeting conducts a detailed review of the portfolio and reviews
trading results and ratios to understand the impact on the Trust of the trading
performance of the individual portfolio holdings. The KPIs used to measure the
progress and performance of the Trust over time and which are comparable to
those reported by other investment trusts include NAV per share, share price,
return per share, average monthly trading volumes and cash flow. Further
information on KPIs and the Trust's progress against these can be found in the
Chairman's statement (see above) and the Manager's review (see above). The
Directors recognise that it is in the long-term interest of shareholders that
shares do not trade at a significant discount to the prevailing NAV and they
monitor the Trust's discount or premium regularly.
PRINCIPAL RISKS
The key risks faced by the Trust are set out below and in note 19 to the
financial statements. The Board regularly reviews and agrees policies for
managing each risk, as summarised below.
Performance risk
The Board is responsible for deciding the investment strategy to fulfil the
Trust's objectives and for monitoring the performance of the Manager. An
inappropriate strategy may lead to poor performance. To manage this risk the
Manager provides an explanation of all investment decisions and the rationale
for the composition of the investment portfolio. The Manager monitors and
maintains an adequate spread of investments, based on the diversification
requirements inherent in the Trust's investment policy, in order to minimise
the risks associated with particular countries or factors specific to
particular sectors.
Regulatory risk
The Trust operates as an investment trust in accordance with Sections 1158 and
1159 of CTA 2010. As such, the Trust is exempt from corporation tax on any
capital gains realised from the sale of its investments, so the loss of
investment trust status would represent a significant risk to the Trust. The
Manager monitors investment movements, the level and type of forecast income
and expenditure, and the amount of retained income (if any) to ensure that the
provisions of Sections 1158 and 1159 of CTA 2010 are not breached. The results
are reported to the Board at each meeting.
General changes in legislation, regulation or government policy could
significantly influence the decisions of investors or impact upon the markets
in which the Trust invests.
Operational risk
In common with most other investment trust companies, the Trust has no
employees. The Trust therefore relies upon the services provided by third
parties and is dependent upon the internal control systems of the Manager and
the Trust's other service providers. For example, the security of the Trust's
assets, dealing procedures, accounting records and maintenance of regulatory
and legal requirements, depend on the effective operation of these systems.
These are regularly tested and monitored and an internal control report, which
includes an assessment of risks together with procedures to mitigate such
risks, is prepared by the Manager and reviewed by the Audit & Valuation
Committee twice a year.
The Board has considered an Assurance Report on Internal Controls (AAF 01/06)
as prepared by the Manager for the year-ended 31 December 2011, and
independently reviewed by Deloitte LLP, and confirms that no material issues
were raised in the report.
Financial risks
The Trust's investment activities expose it to a variety of financial risks
that include valuation risk, liquidity risk, market price risk, credit risk,
foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk. Further details are disclosed in
note 19 to the Financial Statements, together with a summary of the policies
for managing these risks.
Liquidity risk
The Trust, by the very nature of its investment objective, invests in unquoted
companies, and liquidity in their securities can be constrained, potentially
making the investments difficult to realise at, or near, the Directors'
published valuation at any one point in time. The Manager has regard to the
liquidity of the portfolio when making investment decisions, and the Trust
manages its liquid resources to ensure sufficient cash is available to meet its
contractual commitments.
In the event that the Directors have any particular concerns regarding the
liquidity of the Trust and its cash resources, the Trust may exercise an
opt-out in respect of new buyout investments alongside HgCapital 6 in order to
manage the risk of over-commitment.
During 2011 the Directors also arranged a £40 million three-year standby
facility (see above), allowing further flexibility in the management of the
Trust's resources.
SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL & ETHICAL POLICY
In 2006 and again in 2010, the Trust committed to invest in the Hg Renewable
Power Partners funds, which the Board believes offer a profitable route for the
Trust to participate in efforts to combat climate change.
The Manager addresses other investment opportunities on a sector basis. The
sectors chosen do not generally raise ethical issues.
The Trust has no employees and has limited direct impact on the environment.
The Trust aims to conduct itself responsibly, ethically and fairly and has
sought to ensure that HgCapital's management of the portfolio of investments
takes account of social, environmental and ethical factors where appropriate.
Stewardship
HgCapital and the Trust seek to invest in companies that are well managed, with
high standards of corporate governance. The Directors believe this creates the
proper conditions to enhance long-term shareholder value. In aiming to achieve
a high level of corporate performance, the Trust adopts a positive approach to
corporate governance and engagement with companies.
The exercise of voting rights attached to the Trust's portfolio has been
delegated to HgCapital. As acknowledged by the Walker Review, the distance
between owner and manager within the private equity model is relatively short
and the link between the two is an important ingredient in investment
performance. HgCapital has a policy of active portfolio management and ensures
that significant time and resource is dedicated to every investment, with
HgCapital executives typically being appointed to investee company boards in
order to ensure the application of active, results-orientated corporate
governance. Further information regarding the stewardship of investee companies
by HgCapital can be found in the Manager's review.
FUTURE PROSPECTS
The Board's main focus is on the achievement of capital growth and the future
of the Trust is dependent upon the success of the investment strategy. The
outlook for the Trust is discussed in the Chairman's statement and the
Manager's review.
DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS
On 27 August 2008, the Manager, on behalf of the Trust, entered into a €25
million forward foreign exchange contract and a €12.5 million option contract
with a duration of four years, in order to partially offset the effect of
sterling exchange rate movements on euro currency exposure. The contract
secures a sterling/euro exchange rate of €1.24 on the forward contract and a
strike price of €1.40 on the option contract compared with an average exchange
rate of €1.42 at which euro-denominated assets in HgCapital 5 were acquired.
During the year, the option contract was realised and the forward foreign
exchange contract was partially realised, reducing our exposure to €1.5
million. The current write-down of £52,000 on the remaining derivative is more
than offset by unrealised foreign exchange gains on the euro-denominated
assets.
The contract requires no cash funding until expiry, by which time the Manager
expects to be in a position to cover any funding requirement from euro proceeds
from the sale of investments. Further details are provided in note 19 of the
financial statements.
*The annual report contains the following statement regarding the Directors'
responsibility for preparing the annual report and financial statements.
STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES
in respect of the annual report and the financial statements
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 (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).
Under company law the Directors must not approve the accounts unless they are
satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the
Trust and of the profit or loss of the Trust for that period. In preparing
these financial statements, the Directors are required to:
• select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
• state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed; and
• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is
inappropriate to presume that the Trust will continue in business.
The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are
sufficient to show and explain the Trusts' transactions and disclose with
reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Trust 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 Trust and
hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and
other irregularities.
The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the
corporate and financial information included on the Trust's website.
Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the preparation and dissemination
of financial statements may differ from legislation in other jurisdictions.
Responsibility statement
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:
• the financial statements, prepared in accordance with UK Accounting Standards
give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and
profit or loss of the Trust; and
• the Directors' Report includes a fair review of the development and
performance of the business and the position of the Trust, together with a
description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces.
By order of the Board
Roger Mountford, Chairman
15 March 2012
Annual General Meeting (`AGM')
The AGM of the Trust, which will include a presentation by the Manager, will be
held at the offices of HgCapital, 2 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AP on
Thursday 10 May 2012 at 12 noon. Light refreshments will be available at the
conclusion of the AGM. Notice of the AGM is given in the annual report and
accounts.
National Storage Mechanism
A copy of the annual report and financial statements will be submitted shortly
to the National Storage Mechanism ("NSM") and will be available for inspection
at the NSM, which is situated at: www.hemscott.com/nsm.do.
Neither the contents of the Trust's website or the Manager's website, nor the contents
of any website accessible from hyperlinks in this announcement or on those
websites (or any other website), is incorporated into, or forms part of, this
announcement.