Final Results
Acorn Income Fund Ld
20 April 2001
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
I am pleased to present to Shareholders the second Annual Report of Acorn
Income Fund Limited for the year ended 31st December, 2000 covering the first
full year of investment activity for the Company.
The Company's investment strategy has continued to be productive with the
objectives of providing Shareholders with a high income and the opportunity
for growth in income and capital being successfully achieved. This has
resulted in an increase in net asset value per share of 3.62% together with an
uplift of over one quarter in the revenue return. Dividends for the year
totalled 11p per share compared with 8.5p for the 46 week period, a like for
like increase of 14.6%.
The year under review saw further fund raising taking place. On the 13th
December, and in response to demand from the market, 2,600,000 ordinary shares
were issued at 133.5p. This, together with a proportionate increase in the
bank term loan facility of £2,279,000, raised an additional £5.691m (net) for
investment. At the balance sheet date the extra cash raised remained largely
on deposit but is now fully invested. It is pleasing to report that the
Company's shares have continued to trade at a premium to their net asset value
for much of the year. As at the 31st March, 2001, the most recent reporting
date, the net asset value per share stood at 130.8p compared to the share
price of 133p on the same date.
The year under review was notable for the stability experienced in UK base
rates which remained unchanged at 6% from February 2000 until the turn of the
year. Despite this background, the period was an extremely difficult one with
much attention focussing on the telecommunications, media and technology
sectors and large fluctuations experienced in the UK stockmarket. Against this
background, the performance of the Company's portfolio has been creditable.
The early months of 2001 have proved equally challenging, with the UK market
falling in common with other world markets, as fears of recession have grown.
While this negative sentiment may hold back the growth of our investments in
the short-term, our portfolio remains well balanced with many of the
underlying companies continuing to trade at satisfactory levels.
I look forward to welcoming Shareholders to our second Annual General Meeting
at 10.00 am on 11th May, 2001 at the Company's registered office at TSB House,
Le Truchot, St Peter Port, Guernsey.
D.M. Bralsford
20th April, 2001
10 PRINCIPAL PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2000
Stock Sector Portfolio Market
Value
£ '000
Guaranteed Exp Finance 12.875% bonds UK Government Bonds High Inc 3,904
29/9/2002
Rotork Engineering Smaller 3,774
Co
Charles Baynes Distributors Smaller 2,585
Co
Metalrax Group Engineering Smaller 2,464
Co
Dowding & Mills Electronic & Smaller 2,358
Electrical Co
Renold Engineering Smaller 2,291
Co
Elementis Chemicals Smaller 2,220
Co
Sirdar Group Household Goods & Smaller 2,119
Textiles Co
Heywood Williams Const. & Building Smaller 2,026
Materials Co
Pendragon Motor Distributors Smaller 1,859
Co
25,600
10 PRINCIPAL PORTFOLIO INVESTMENTS
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 1999
Stock Sector Portfolio Market Value
£ '000
Fine Art Developments Retailers Smaller Co 2,960
Allied Leisure Leisure Smaller Co 2,153
Abacus Polar Distributors Smaller Co 2,047
Ash & Lacy Engineering Smaller Co 2,023
Heywood Williams Const. & Building Materials Smaller Co 1,949
Jove Investment Trust Investment Trusts High Inc 1,912
Baynes (Charles) Distributors Smaller Co 1,889
Stat-Plus Group Support Services Smaller Co 1,865
Metalrax Group Engineering Smaller Co 1,801
Finelist Group Distributors Smaller Co 1,767
20,366
The 10 principal investments represent 42.9 % of the investment portfolio
(1999: 35.9%).
Statement of total return
for the year ended 31st December 2000
Period 11th February
to
31st December 1999*
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000 £'000
Gains on investment - 2,521 2,521 - 4,211 4,211
Income 4,405 - 4,405 1,965 - 1,965
Fund management fees (144) (432) (576) (68) (203) (271)
Other expenses (123) (217) (340) (85) (554) (639)
Net return on ordinary activities 4,138 1,872 6,010 1,812 3,454 5,266
before finance costs
Interest payable (449) (1,348)(1,797) (180) (538) (718)
Return on ordinary activities for 3,689 524 4,213 1,632 2,916 4,548
the period
Dividends paid (2,970) - (2,970)(1,395) - (1,395)
Transfer to reserve 719 524 1,243 237 2,916 3,153
Return per Ordinary Share 13.59p 1.93p 15.52p 10.59p 18.92p 29.51p
* 46 week period
BALANCE SHEET
as at 31st December, 2000
31st
December,
1999
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments listed at market value 59,680 56,754
Current assets
Debtors 2,068 812
Cash at bank 5,136 2,137
7,204 2,949
Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
Creditors (2,393) (2,146)
Net current assets 4,811 803
Creditors - amounts falling due after more than one
year
Long term bank loan (25,616) (23,337)
Net asset value 38,875 34,220
Share capital and reserves
Share capital 7,400 6,750
Share premium 27,079 24,317
Revenue reserve 956 237
Capital reserve 3,440 2,916
Total equity shareholders' funds 38,875 34,220
Net asset value per Ordinary Share 131.33p 126.74p
D.M. Bralsford J.M. McKean
20th April, 2001
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
for the year ended 31st December, 2000
£'000 £'000
Net cash inflow from operating activities 3,267 993
Servicing of finance
Interest paid (1,760) (438)
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of investments (44,345) (68,850)
Sale of investments 43,791 16,748
(554) (52,102)
Dividends paid (3,645) (720)
Cash outflow before use of liquid resources and financing (5,959) (53,260)
Financing
Issue of ordinary share capital 3,412 31,067
Loan drawn down 2,279 23,337
Movement in net cash 2,999 2,137