Final Results

RNS Number : 5918E
New City High Yield Fund Limited
29 September 2008
 



To:        RNS

Date:     29 September 2008

From:    New City High Yield Fund Limited



Audited results for the period from 17 January 2007 (date of incorporation) to 30 June 2008


·         Net asset value total return of 2.4 per cent, since launch on 7 March 2007.
 
·         Ordinary share price total return of 3.7 per cent, since launch on 7 March 2007.
 
·         Dividend yield of 6.8 per cent, based on dividends at an annualised rate of 3.57p and a share price of 52.5p at 30 June 2008.
 
·         Ordinary share price at a premium of 2.9 per cent to net asset value at 30 June 2008.
 
·         £15 million raised in March 2007 through a placing and offer for subscription, in addition to the rollover of New City High Yield Trust plc shareholders’ interests of £53 million into the Company.

·         £1.8 million and £4.7 million raised in December 2007 and February 2008 respectively, through placings with both existing and new investors.

 

Jimmy West, the Chairman said:


'Investment Performance

Investment markets, both in the UK and abroad have been difficult throughout the Company's life. The UK economy and sterling have weakened further since my last Interim report, and uncertainty remains in many markets whether equity or debt.


Against this backdrop, it is pleasing to report a net asset value total return of 2.4 per cent and a share price total return of 3.7 per cent since launch on 7 March 2007.  As noted in the last Interim report, the Manager had concerns regarding the prospect for sterling. As such, the balance of the investment portfolio was changed, with nearly half of the portfolio now invested outside the UK. Given the fall in sterlingthese concerns were well founded. The realignment of the portfolio has therefore helped both the net asset value and the investment income stream. 


Dividends

In the first financial period to 30 June 2008, the Company paid four interim dividends of 0.85p per share and a further 1.02p per share was paid after the period end, on 29 August 2008. Based on an annualised rate of 3.57p and a share price of 52.5p at the period end, this represents a yield of 6.8 per cent. The annualised rate of 3.57p per share compares favourably, and is 27.5% higher than the previous annual rate of 2.8p per share within New City High Yield Trust plc. This has also been achieved alongside a significant increase in our revenue reserve equivalent to 1.05p per share.


Launch of the Company and Fundraisings

As noted within the Interim Reports the Company was launched on 7 March 2007 following the voluntary winding up of New City High Yield Trust plc and the rollover of its shareholders' interests (£53 million) into the Company. The objective of this transaction was to enhance net distributable income and increase investment flexibility. In this first period, as is illustrated above, we have been able to increase net distributable income which has justified the rollover of assets into this Jersey domiciled company.


The objective of New City High Yield Fund Limited is to provide investors with a high dividend yield and the potential for capital growth by investing mainly in high yielding fixed interest securities.  


The appeal of the investment remit, and the Company's success in delivering it, has been evidenced by three fund raisings; £15 million was raised from new and existing shareholders pursuant to a placing at the time of launch, £1.8 million was raised in December 2007 and a further £4.7 million was raised in February 2008.

  

Outlook

Market conditions have been and remain exceptionally difficult; however we believe that the ongoing credit crunch will continue to provide opportunities to invest in new bond issues with, where possible, equity participation.'


Enquiries:

Richard Lockwood, New City Investment Managers:    020 7201 5365

Graeme Ross, Company Secretary:                           01534 825 236



  



Audited Income Statement 


Period from 17 January 2007 (date of incorporation) to 30 June 2008




Period to 30 June 2008



Revenue

Capital

Total



£'000

£'000

£'000






Losses on investments


-

(4,858)

(4,858)

Exchange losses


-

(153)

(153)

Income


9,685

-

9,685

Investment management fee


(666)

(222)

(888)

Other expenses


(462)

(6)

(468)

Net return before finance costs and taxation


8,557

(5,239)

3,318






Interest payable and similar charges


(1,069)

(356)

(1,425)

Return on ordinary activities before taxation


7,488

(5,595)

1,893






Irrecoverable withholding tax


(161)

-

(161)

Return on ordinary activities after taxation


7,327

(5,595)

1,732











Return per ordinary share (pence)


5.62p

(4.29)p

1.33p








The 'Total' column of this statement is the profit and loss account of the Company.


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


The Company was incorporated on 17 January 2007 and launched on 7 March 2007.   

Audited Balance Sheet as at 30 June 2008




As at 

30 June 2008



£'000




Fixed assets



Investments


83,461




Current assets



Debtors


2,400

Cash at bank 


2,103



4,503

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year


(16,840)

Net current liabilities


(12,337)

Net Assets


71,124




Share capital and reserves



Stated capital account


23,452

Special distributable reserve


50,385

Capital reserves


(5,595)

Revenue reserve


2,882

Equity shareholders' funds


71,124







Net asset value per ordinary share (pence)   


51.03p








Audited Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders' Funds


Period from 17 January 2007 (date of incorporation) to 30 June 2008




Period to

30 June 2008



£'000




Equity shareholders' funds at 17 January 2007 (date of incorporation)



-

Return on ordinary activities after taxation


1,732

Increase in share capital in issue attributable to rollover from New City High Yield Trust plc



52,964

Increase in share capital in issue attributable to placings and offer for subscription



21,481

Launch costs


(596)

Cost of reduction in stated capital account


(12)

Dividends paid


(4,445)

Equity shareholders' funds at 30 June 2008


71,124

  Audited Cash Flow Statement 


Period from 17 January 2007 (date of incorporation) to 30 June 2008



Period to 

30 June 2008


£'000



Operating activities


Investment income received

8,405

Deposit interest received

127

Investment management fees paid

(830)

Other cash payments

(401)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

7,301



Servicing of finance


Interest on loan

(1,180)

Net cash outflow from servicing of finance

(1,180)



Taxation


Irrecoverable withholding tax paid

(152)



Capital expenditure and financial investment


Purchases of investments

(57,322)

Disposals of investment

34,649

Net cash outflow from capital expenditure and financial investment

(22,673)



Dividends


Equity dividends paid

(4,445)

Net cash outflow before financing

(21,149)



Financing


Issue of ordinary shares

21,599

Expenses of share issues and launch costs

(714)

Cost of reduction in stated capital account 

(12)

Bank loan drawn down

2,000

Net cash inflow from financing

22,873

Increase in cash

1,724



Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt


Increase in cash in the period

1,724

Cash inflow from transfer of cash from New City High Yield Trust plc†

532

Exchange losses

(153)

Transfer of loan from New City High Yield Trust plc†

(14,000)

Cash inflow from bank loan drawn down

(2,000)

Movement in net debt in the period

(13,897)



Opening net debt at 17 January 2007

-

Closing net debt at 30 June 2008

(13,897)


† On 6 March 2007 the net assets of New City High Yield Trust plc which totalled £52,964,000 were transferred in specie to New City High Yield Fund Limited. Cash of £532,000 and investments with a market value of £66,432,000 (including accrued interest) were received and a loan of £14 million due to Allied Irish Bank was also novated and transferred to the Company.



  Notes

 

1.         Return per ordinary share


Revenue Return - The revenue return per ordinary share is based on the net revenue return on ordinary activities after taxation of £7,327,000 and on a weighted average of 130,471,218 ordinary shares in issue throughout the period. 


Capital Return - The capital return per ordinary share is based on the net capital return on ordinary activities after taxation of £(5,595,000) and on a weighted average of 130,471,218 ordinary shares in issue throughout the period.

 

2.         A fifth interim dividend of 1.02p per share was paid on 29 August 2008.  In accordance with UK GAAP this 
            dividend has not been included as a liability in these accounts.

3.         On 6 March 2007 99,022,414 ordinary shares were issued pursuant to the scheme for the voluntary winding up 
            of New City High Yield Trust plc and rollover of its shareholders interests into the Company. A fu
rther 
            27,674,414 o
rdinary shares were issued pursuant to a placing and offer for subscription which raised 
            £
15m Dealings in these shares commenced on 7 March 2007.  A further 3,500,000 ordinary shares were 
            issued pursuant to a p
lacing on 18 December 2007 and raised £1.8 million.  A further 9,169,600 ordinary 
            shares were issued pursuant to a placing on 28 February 2008 and raised £4.7 million.
 


The basic net asset value per ordinary share of 51.03p is based on net assets of £71,124,000 
and
 139,366,428 shares, being the total number of ordinary shares in issue at the end of the period.    

 

4.         Post balance sheet event

Subsequent to the period end, on 18 July 2008, one of the Company's listed investments (FibreGen 8% CV 30/06/10) was suspended. At 30 June 2008 this investment was valued at £2,688,000 based on its closing bid price; however, the Board has now valued it at £480,000. This is equivalent to a write down of 1.58p per share.    

5.                  The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company’s statutory accounts for the period ended 30 June 2008.  The statutory accounts for 2008 are audited and the Auditors have issued an unqualified opinion. The statutory accounts for 2008 will be finalised on the basis of the financial information presented in this announcement and will be delivered to the Registrar of Companies following the Company’s Annual General Meeting.

6.         The report and accounts for the period ended 30 June 2008 will be posted to shareholders and made available 
on the website 
 www.ncim.co.uk. Copies may also be obtained from the Company's registered office, 
Ordnance House, 
31 Pier Road, St. Helier, JerseyJE4 8PWChannel Islands



Principal Risks

The Company's assets consist principally of listed fixed interest securities and equities and its principal risks are therefore market related. The Company is also exposed to currency risk in respect of the markets in which it invests. These risks, which have not changed materially since launch in March 2007, and the way in which they are managed, are described in more detail in the report and accounts for the period ended 30 June 2008. The report will be available on the manager's website www.ncim.co.uk during October 2008.

  

Statement of Directors' Responsibilities in Respect of the Annual Financial Report


In accordance with Chapter 4 of the Disclose and Transparency Rules, we confirm that to the best of our knowledge, in respect of the report and accounts for the period ended 30 June 2008, of which this statement of results is an extract:


  • The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with applicable UK Accounting Standards, on a going concern basis, and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and return of the Company;

  • The Report of the Directors includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the Company together with a description of principal risks and uncertainties for the forthcoming financial year.

  • The Report and accounts include details on related party transactions.



On behalf of the Board

J West

Director

29 September 2008



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