Half Yearly Financial Report

RNS Number : 4714Q
Jupiter Green Investment Trust Plc
29 November 2016
 

Jupiter Green Investment Trust plc

 

('the Company')

 

Half Yearly Financial Report for the six months to 30 September 2016 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Financial Highlights for the six months to 30 September 2016

 

Capital performance

 

 

30 September
2016

31 March
2016

% Change

Total Assets less Current Liabilities ( £'000)

37,212

33,418

11.4

 

 

Ordinary share performance

 

 

30 September
2016

31 March
2016

% Change

Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share (p)

175.59

150.79

16.4

Ordinary Share Net Asset Value (with dividends added back)

 

 

16.5

Mid Market price (p)

162.25

131.25

23.6

Mid Market price (with dividends added back)

 

 

23.6

Discount to Net Asset Value (%)

7.6

13.0

 

MSCI World Small Cap Net Total Return Index

291.64

241.15

20.9

 

The ongoing charges figure for the period to 30 September 2016 was 1.60% (31 March 2016: 1.63%).

 

 

 

Chairman's Statement

 

It is with pleasure that I present the Half Yearly Financial Report for the six months to 30 September 2016.

 

Global stock markets moved higher during the six month period, and the conditions generally proved favourable for the Company. The UK's EU referendum, which took place on 23 June 2016, was perhaps the most closely watched global event during the period. Business sentiment in the UK was naturally circumspect in the lead up to the vote, while the surprise result in favour of 'Brexit' sent shockwaves through capital markets. The vote introduced economic uncertainty for the UK and its main trading partners. There was also concern that it would lend weight to a growing nationalist mood in parts of the EU, as well as the US where immigration is one of the battle lines upon which the presidential election is being fought. However, markets recovered quickly due to a combination of rapid response from the Bank of England, which cut interest rates to 0.25 per cent. and expanded its asset purchasing programme. The regrouping of the UK government following the resignation of Prime Minister David Cameron and some relatively robust data also helped sentiment. Beyond these political machinations, the period saw some encouraging economic data in the EU, where indicators suggested the recovery was strengthening. Economic growth in the US continued to mop up slack in the labour market, while China's economy remained stable.  Lastly, the period saw a shift in rhetoric from politicians in the West who showed a renewed appetite for fiscal stimulus.

 

During the six months to 30 September 2016 your Company's net asset value per share increased by 16.5 per cent. (with dividends added back). This compares with a total return in the Company's benchmark index, the MSCI World Small Cap Net Total Return Index of 20.9 per cent. over the same period. The mid market price of the Company's shares increased by 23.6 per cent.

 

I recommend the Investment Adviser's Review overleaf in which Charlie Thomas presents the key contributors to the Company's performance over the six month period and details some exciting new additions to the portfolio. He also discusses developments in environmental policy, including the milestone that has been reached with the ratification of the Paris Agreement, the first official agreement to be ratified within the United Nations ('UN') Framework Convention on Climate Change.

 

In addition to the Paris Agreement, which was ratified some two years ahead of expectations, there are two further policy announcements worth mentioning which are emblematic of how much policy momentum has gathered pace in the past year. The first of these is the deal agreed by 191 countries to cap aviation emissions after 2020, beyond which future growth must be carbon neutral. For an industry expected to grow by some 5 per cent. a year, this will be a tough goal to achieve. Estimates from Carbon Brief, the UK-based climate-science website, suggest that the aviation industry alone could account for a quarter of the emissions required to increase global temperatures by 1.5ºC by 2050. However, the agreement itself, which was confirmed on 6 October 2016, marks an important milestone, given the industry's reluctance to agree CO2 goals in the past. The second important agreement was the deal struck on 15 October 2016 to limit the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are typically used in refrigerators and air conditioning units. While this complex deal will commence in stages between 2019 and 2028, news of the agreement has provided an immediate incentive for the creation of new technologies to replace HFCs and a concurrent disincentive for future development of technologies that currently rely on this gas compound. These are strong examples of how the backdrop to environmental investing is changing and the signals that are being sent to businesses developing new technologies to assist in the decarbonisation of the global economy, several of which are held within the Company.

 

Michael Naylor

Chairman

29 November 2016

 

 

 

Investment Adviser's Review

 

Performance Review

 

For the six months ended 30 September 2016 the net asset value per share increased by 16.5 per cent. (with dividends added back), which compares with a total return 20.9 per cent. from the Company's benchmark, the MSCI World Small Cap Net Total Return Index. During the same period the FTSE ET100 Index (Total Return) returned 15.3 per cent. The FTSE ET100 Index measures the performance of the largest 100 companies globally whose core business is the development and deployment of environmental technologies.

 

Market review

 

Global equity markets made reasonable progress in the six months under review, despite significant bouts of volatility. The UK's EU referendum in late June was a key point of focus for investors. Global equity markets fell sharply in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit vote, but recovered composure as the period progressed. This recovery was partly due to further stimulus by the Bank of England, which cut interest rates from 0.5 per cent. to 0.25 per cent. and signalled its intention to buy £60bn of gilts and £10bn of corporate bonds, as well as some reassuring UK consumer data. A significant drop in the value of sterling also helped to prop up the domestic stock market, with foreign earners making up a meaningful size of the market. Elsewhere, markets continued to focus on the signals coming from the US Federal Reserve (the 'FED') about its intentions for rates. By the end of the period, consensus had hardened for a December rate increase, although there continued to be mixed readings of employment data by FED members and the forthcoming US election remained a potential exogenous factor that might sway the decision. Nevertheless, the S&P 500 reached new highs during the period. In terms of the economic backdrop, the period saw a subtle shift in appetite among many Western governments for fiscal stimulus and the nascent signs of reflation in the global economy, which was reflected in higher commodity prices.

 

The period saw a number of significant developments in the backdrop to environmental investing. Most notably, the United States, China, India and the EU ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change. As a result the baseline of 55 nations representing at least 55 per cent. of carbon dioxide emissions needed for the Paris Agreement to take effect was surpassed - a momentous event in terms of climate policy. Meanwhile, geologists have put forward a motion to recognise a new geological age called the Anthropocene, which some scientists estimate has been in evidence since the 1950s and reflects the accelerated influence of human beings on the Earth. Some markers of this new age include the sharp rise in carbon dioxide emissions, land deforestation, increases in sea levels, the mass extinctions of species and the prevalence of waste (including nuclear pollution and plastics). Acceptance of the new paradigm by the International Geological Congress would mark the end of the Holocene, a 12,000 year epoch during which the world's climate has been relatively stable.

 

Policy review

 

The Company made solid progress in absolute terms, but underperformed its benchmark, the MSCI World Small Cap Net Total Return Index, and outperformed the FTSE ET100 Index (Total Return) during the period. The rally in energy and materials stocks not held in the Company's portfolio due to its environmental focus was an impediment to relative performance against the Company's broad-based benchmark.

 

Notable positives included holdings involved in water treatment and smart meters. Among these, A.O. Smith, which manufactures residential and commercial water heaters and boilers, benefited from international expansion and growing demand for energy efficient boilers. Xylem, meanwhile, saw improved market conditions for its water technologies and made a strategic acquisition of a company specialising in 'smart' water meters, while smart meter specialist Itron experienced a pickup in demand. Elsewhere, Vestas Wind Systems continued to impress the market with consistently strong earnings updates and improved guidance, with the flagship wind turbine business winning multiple projects.

 

In contrast, the period proved challenging for US solar businesses SunPower and First Solar, which lost ground after  the  schedules  for  a  number of projects were postponed, with the five-year extension to the tax credits announced in December 2015 proving something of a double-edged sword for the US solar sector. Longer term, the extension should help to increase overall solar demand in the US, in the short term it has caused over capacity in the industry. This stands in contrast to the wind sector, which has largely continued to flourish.

 

The period presented the opportunity to participate in some compelling new listings. These included Danish utility company DONG Energy, which owns over a quarter of the global offshore wind market: this might seem unlikely given the company grew out of a 1970s state-owned group called Danish Oil and Natural Gas. Less than a decade ago, wind power represented only 16 per cent. of its capital employed. By 2015 this had reached 75 per cent. While the company does not plan to fully divest its 'legacy' business - North Sea oil & gas - the cash generated by these low-cost assets will be used to support the growth of its renewable energy business.

 

We also established a position in Infineon Technologies, one of the largest power semiconductor companies in the world. This business supplies highly efficient semiconductors (known as insulated gate bipolar transistors) to a number of major electric vehicle ('EV') manufacturers globally (including businesses in China, as well as major western manufacturers like Tesla, BMW and Ford) and has the potential to benefit from an acceleration of growth in the EV market.

 

Despite steady improvements to both technology and consumer choice, the market for electric vehicles (which includes fully battery powered cars and hybrids) remains relatively small, representing under 5 per cent. of the total vehicle market globally. Generous subsidies and tax breaks are playing a role in supporting demand, but overall adoption rates are constrained by factors such as relatively low real-world driving ranges (i.e. issues with battery storage and density), limited model availability and, most importantly, high costs compared to internal combustion engine vehicles. The latter has been amplified by the collapse in the crude oil price in 2015.

 

However, these dynamics are changing rapidly and there are real reasons for optimism about the future growth of the EV market. In 2015 alone, the market for plug in electric vehicles jumped by 76 per cent. globally, with China and Europe leading new sales. Sector analysts forecast that by 2020 the total cost of owning an EV (i.e. including running costs) will fall below that of internal combustion engine vehicles for the first time. This could have a profound impact on the supply and demand dynamics in this market. Some estimates suggest electric vehicles could represent up to 50 per cent. of new car sales by 2040, although this figure may be constrained by a persistently low oil price.

 

At the end of the period, we participated in the IPO for va-Q-tec, which is a leading provider of high performance thermal insulation products that can have quite a significant impact on energy efficiency when it comes to controlling temperatures. For example, one of its products can create constant temperature conditions for over 200 hours without the need for external energy. This German company has a wide variety of clients, including those from the food, technology and building industries.

 

Lastly, we took some profits in high welfare pork business Cranswick, a stock that has done well for the Company over many years.

 

Investment Outlook

 

There are a number of areas of concern that we continue to closely monitor. The ultimate form that 'Brexit' will take is unlikely to be known for some time yet. However, it remains a highly charged political situation in the UK and EU, and we have already seen the destabilising effects that speculative news flow can have on markets. Central bank policy is another area we continue to watch. The FED is expected to announce a further small increase in interest rates before the end of the year, which may not be welcome to some areas of the market. Moreover, while inflation expectations have been adjusted upwards in recent months, the global economic recovery is mature and underlying inflationary pressures appear to be relatively weak. The exponential rise in China's debt burden, which has underpinned some of the pickup in global demand, is also becoming an area of concern for investors.

 

Notwithstanding these challenges, many of the businesses in which the Company invests continue to offer products and services that are at the forefront of profound economic change, whether it be helping to decarbonise the economy, develop sustainable infrastructure, or find more efficient ways to use natural resources, like water. Moreover, the significance of the ratification of the Paris Agreement should not be underestimated. This landmark UN global climate change deal took more than two decades to achieve and is likely to open the door to significant long term investment in clean technologies. Also welcome has been recent news that the UN has finally been able to strike a deal with the aviation industry, which will sit alongside the Paris Agreement and will see the industry seek to offset growth in CO2 emission beyond 2020.

 

Donald Trump's rhetoric during his campaign placed pressure in the short term on renewable energy companies, but looking through the noise, he won't need to remove clean energy subsidies as the existing policy will in fact already phase out subsidies by the end of his first term, as renewable technology progress means that they will largely no longer be required.

 

While it is still too early to predict the long-term consequences of the election, both in the White House and on Capitol Hill, we are mindful that despite a rancorous campaign, one of the few areas that the Democrats and Republicans found common ground is the pressing need for US infrastructure investment. This bodes relatively well for companies providing environmental solutions particularly in the water, smart energy and rail transport infrastructure.

 

While our portfolio may not be immune to the machinations of the wider market, we believe we have seen a tipping point in terms of global environmental policy which, combined with the increased economic competitiveness of environmental solutions products, should continue to support our investment theme over the long term.

 

Charlie Thomas

Fund Manager

Jupiter Asset Management Limited

Investment Adviser

29 November 2016

 

 

 

Investment Portfolio as at 30 September 2016

 

Company

Country
of listing

Market
value
£'000

Percentage
of portfolio

Wabtec

United States

1,599

4.3

LKQ Corporation

United States

1,451

3.9

Vestas Wind Systems

Denmark

1,403

3.8

Smith A. O.

United States

1,390

3.8

Emcor Group

United States

1,350

3.7

Cranswick

United Kingdom

1,320

3.6

Tomra Systems

Norway

1,224

3.3

Xylem

United States

1,031

2.8

Toray Industries

Japan

1,019

2.8

Valmont Industries

United States

964

2.6

Johnson Matthey

United Kingdom

939

2.5

EDP Renovaveis

Spain

891

2.4

National Express Group

United Kingdom

752

2.0

Stantec

Canada

745

2.0

WS Atkins

United Kingdom

722

2.0

Sensata Technologies

United States

711

1.9

Horiba

Japan

665

1.8

FirstGroup

United Kingdom

660

1.8

Shanks Group

United Kingdom

630

1.7

United Natural Foods

United States

627

1.7

Veolia Environnement

France

626

1.7

Schneider Electric

France

610

1.7

Azbil

Japan

604

1.6

Itron

United States

603

1.6

Covanta

United States

598

1.6

Andritz

Austria

586

1.6

RPS Group

United Kingdom

567

1.5

Shimano

Japan

567

1.5

BorgWarner

United States

553

1.5

Daiseki

Japan

508

1.4

Regal Beloit

United States

499

1.4

Novozymes

Denmark

483

1.3

SKF

Sweden

482

1.3

East Japan Railway

Japan

476

1.3

Infineon Technologies

Germany

476

1.3

Clean Harbors

United States

468

1.3

Miura

Japan

468

1.3

Watts Water

United States

458

1.2

Centrotec Sustainable

Germany

428

1.2

China Longyuan Power

China

424

1.2

Ricardo Group

United Kingdom

423

1.1

Mayr-Melnhof Karton

Austria

418

1.1

NSK

Japan

408

1.1

Dong Energy

Denmark

400

1.1

Keller Group

United Kingdom

394

1.1

Hollysys Automation Technologies

United States

393

1.1

Suez Environnement

France

382

1.0

Casella Waste

United States

368

1.0

First Solar

United States

346

0.9

Jupiter Global Ecology Diversified*

Luxembourg

339

0.9

Pure Technologies

Canada

322

0.9

Whole Foods Market

United States

317

0.9

Zumtobel Group

Austria

311

0.9

Augean

United Kingdom

276

0.8

Vossloh

Germany

268

0.7

VA-Q-TEC

Germany

224

0.6

Lenzing

Austria

196

0.5

SunOpta

United States

195

0.5

Sunpower

United States

186

0.5

Atlantis Resources

United Kingdom

153

0.4

Total

 

36,896

100.0

 

*Shares in a sub-fund of the Jupiter Global Fund SICAV

 

The holdings listed above are all equity shares unless otherwise stated.

 

 

 

Cross Holdings in other Investment Companies

 

As at 30 September 2016, none of the Company's Total Assets were invested in the securities of other UK listed investment companies.

 

It is the Company's stated policy that not more than 10 per cent., in aggregate, of the value of the Total Assets of the Company (before deducting borrowed money) may be invested in other investment companies (including investment trusts) listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. It is the Directors' current intention that the Company invests not more than 5 per cent., in aggregate, of the value of the Total Assets of the Company (before deducting borrowed money) in such other investment companies.

 

 

 

Interim Management Report

 

Principal Risks and uncertainties

 

The principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Company can be divided into the following broad categories:

 

•     Investment policy and process;

•     Markets;

•     Accounting, legal and regulatory compliance;

•     Gearing;

•     Operational; and

•     Financial.

 

The Board reported on the above principal risks and uncertainties in the Annual Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016.

 

Related Party Transactions

 

During the first six months of the current financial year no transactions with related parties have taken place which have materially affected the financial position or performance of the Company.

 

Going Concern

 

The Directors, having considered the Company's investment objective, risk management and capital management policies, the diversified portfolio of readily realisable securities which can be used to meet short-term funding commitments and the ability of the Company to meet all of its liabilities and ongoing expenses, are satisfied that the Company has adequate resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future. The Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the accounts.

 

Directors' Responsibility Statement

 

The Board of Directors confirms that, to the best of its knowledge:

 

(a)  the condensed set of financial statements contained within the Half Yearly Financial Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and those International Financial Reporting Standards ('IFRS') as adopted by the European Union and give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company, and of the return or loss of the Company as at 30 September 2016;

 

(b)  The Interim Management Report, together with the Chairman's Statement and Investment Adviser's Review, include a fair review of the information required by 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R of the UK Listing Authority Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

 

The Half Yearly Financial Report has not been audited or reviewed by the Company's auditor.

 

For and on behalf of the Board

Michael Naylor

Chairman

29 November 2016

 

 

 

Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

For the six months to 30 September 2016 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Six months to
30 September 2016

 

Six months to
30 September 2015

 

 

 

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Revenue

£'000

Capital

£'000

Total

£'000

Gain/(loss) on investments held at fair value through profit or loss

 

-

 

5,288

 

5,288

 

-

 

(4,163)

 

(4,163)

Foreign exchange (loss)/gain

-

(10)

(10)

-

3

3

Income

392

-

392

346

-

346

Total income

392

5,278

5,670

346

(4,160)

(3,814)

Investment management fee

(15)

(133)

(148)

(16)

(141)

(157)

Other expenses

(125)

-

(125)

(132)

-

(132)

Total expenses

(140)

(133)

(273)

(148)

(141)

(289)

Return/(loss) on ordinary activities before finance costs and taxation

 

252

 

5,145

 

5,397

 

198

 

(4,301)

 

(4,103)

Finance costs

(5)

-

(5)

(5)

-

(5)

Return/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation

 

247

 

5,145

 

5,392

 

193

 

(4,301)

 

(4,108)

Taxation

(29)

-

(29)

(22)

-

(22)

Net return/(loss) after taxation

218

5,145

5,363

171

(4,301)

(4,130)

Return/(loss) per Ordinary share

1.00p

23.71p

24.71p

0.68p

(17.14)p

(16.46)p

               

 

The total column of this statement is the income statement of the Company, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The supplementary revenue return and capital return columns are both prepared under guidance produced by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC). All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.

 

No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period.

 

All income is attributable to the equity holders of Jupiter Green Investment Trust PLC.

 

The financial information does not constitute 'accounts' as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006.

 

 

 

Statement of Financial Position

 

As at 30 September 2016

 

 

30 September 2016
(unaudited)
£'000

31 March 2016
(audited)
£'000

Non current assets

 

 

Investments held at fair value through profit or loss

36,896

32,886

Current assets

 

 

Prepayments and accrued income

96

85

Cash and cash equivalents

608

567

 

704

652

Total assets

37,600

33,538

Current liabilities

 

 

Other payables

(388)

(120)

Total net assets less current liabilities

37,212

33,418

Capital and reserves

 

 

Called up share capital

34

34

Share premium

29,488

29,481

Redemption reserve

239

239

Special reserve

24,292

24,292

Retained earnings*

(16,841)

(20,628)

Total equity shareholders' funds

37,212

33,418

Net Asset Value per Ordinary share

175.59p

150.79p

 

* These reserves form the distributable reserves of the Company and may be used to fund distribution of profits to investors via dividend payments.

 

 

 

Statement of Changes in Equity

 

For the six months to 30 September 2016

 

For the six months to

30 September 2016 (unaudited)

Share Capital

£'000

Share Premium

£'000

Special Reserve

£'000

Redemption

Reserve

£'000

Retained Earnings

£'000

 

Total

£'000

Balance at 31 March 2016

34

29,481

24,292

239

(20,628)

33,418

Net return for the period

-

-

-

-

5,363

5,363

Ordinary shares reissued from Treasury

-

34

-

-

-

34

Ordinary shares repurchased

-

-

-

-

(1,465)

(1,465)

Dividend paid

-

-

-

-

(138)

(138)

Balance at 30 September 2016

34

29,515

24,292

239

(16,868)

37,212

 

For the six months to
30 September 2015 (unaudited)

Share Capital

£'000

Share Premium

£'000

Special Reserve

£'000

Redemption

Reserve

£'000

Retained Earnings

£'000

 

Total

£'000

Balance at 31 March 2015

34

29,348

24,292

239

(15,368)

38,545

Net loss for the period

-

-

-

-

(4,130)

(4,130)

Ordinary shares issued

-

133

-

-

-

133

Ordinary shares repurchased

-

-

-

-

(999)

(999)

Dividend paid

-

-

-

-

(138)

(138)

Balance at 30 September 2015

34

29,481

24,292

239

(20,635)

33,411

 

 

 

Cash Flow Statement

 

For the six months to 30 September 2016 (unaudited)

 

 

2016
£'000

2015
£'000

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

Investment income received (gross)

440

382

Investment management fee paid

(140)

(136)

Other cash expenses

(163)

(129)

Net cash inflow from operating activities before taxation

137

117

Interest paid

(3)

(5)

Taxation

(29)

(38)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

105

74

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

Purchases of investments

(2,027)

(1,063)

Sales of investments

3,542

1,354

Net cash inflow from investing activities

1,515

291

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

Shares issued

-

133

Shares repurchased

(1,465)

(999)

Shares reissued from Treasury

34

-

Equity dividends paid

(138)

(138)

Net cash outflow from financing activities

(1,569)

(1,004)

Increase/(decrease) in cash

51

(639)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at start of period

567

2,242

Realised (loss)/gain on foreign currency

(10)

3

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

608

1,606

 

 

 

Notes to the Financial Statements for the six months to 30 September 2016

 

1.   Accounting Policies

 

The Accounts comprise the unaudited financial results of the Company for the period to 30 September 2016. The Accounts are presented in pounds sterling, as this is the functional currency of the Company. All values are rounded to the nearest thousand pounds (£'000) except where indicated.

 

The Accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which comprise standards and interpretations approved by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC), as adopted by the European Union (EU).

 

Where presentational guidance set out in the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for Investment Trusts issued by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC) in November 2014 is consistent with the requirements of IFRS, the directors have sought to prepare the financial statements on a basis compliant with the recommendations of the SORP.

 

(a)  Revenue recognition

 

Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and represents amounts receivable for goods and services provided in the normal course of business. Revenue includes dividends from investments quoted ex-dividend on or before the date of the Statement of Financial Position.

 

Dividends receivable from equity shares are taken to the revenue return column of the Statement of Comprehensive Income.

 

Deposit and other interest receivable, expenses and interest payable are accounted for on an accruals basis. These are classified within operating activities in the cash flow statement.

 

(b)  Presentation of Statement of Comprehensive Income

 

In order to better reflect the activities of an investment trust company and in accordance with guidance issued by the Association of Investment Companies (AIC), supplementary information which analyses the Statement of Comprehensive Income between items of a revenue and capital

nature has been presented alongside the statement. In accordance with the Company's Articles of Association, net capital returns may not be distributed by way of dividend.

 

An analysis of retained earnings broken down into revenue (distributable) items and capital (non-distributable) items is given in the full Half Yearly Financial Report. Investment Management fees are charged  90 per cent. to capital and 10 per cent. to revenue. All other operational costs including administration expenses and finance costs (but with the exception of any investment performance fees which are charged to capital) are charged to revenue.

 

(c)  Basis of valuation of investments

 

Investments are recognised and derecognised on a trade date where a purchase and sale of an investment is under contract whose terms require delivery of  the investment within the timeframe established by the market concerned, and are initially measured at cost, being the consideration given.

 

All investments are classified as held at fair value through profit or loss. All investments are measured at fair value with changes in their fair value recognised in the Statement of Comprehensive Income in the period in which they arise. The fair value of listed investments is based on their quoted bid price at the reporting date without any deduction for estimated future selling costs.

 

Foreign exchange gains and losses on fair value through profit and loss investments are included within the changes in the fair value of the investments.

 

For investments that are not actively traded and/or where active stock exchange quoted bid prices are not available, fair value is determined by reference to a variety of valuation techniques. These techniques may draw, without limitation, on one or more of: the latest arm's length traded prices for the instrument concerned; financial modelling based on other observable market data; independent broker research; or the published accounts relating to the issuer of the investment concerned.

 

2.   Gain/(loss) on Investments

 

 

Six months to
30 September 2016
£'000

Six months to
 30 September 2015
 £'000

Net gain realised on sale of investments

1,379

681

Movement in unrealised gains

3,909

(4,844)

Gain/(loss) on investments

5,288

(4,163)

 

3.   Earnings per Ordinary Share

 

The earnings per Ordinary share figure is based on the net profit for the six months of £218,000 (six months to 30 September 2015: net profit £171,000) and on 21,695,643 Ordinary shares (six months to 30 September 2015: 25,092,155), being the weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue during the period.

 

The earnings per Ordinary share figure detailed above can be further analysed between revenue and capital, as below.

 

 

Six months to
30 September 2016
£'000

Six months to
30 September 2015
£'000

Net revenue profit

218

171

Net capital profit/(loss)

5,145

(4,301)

Net total profit/(loss)

5,363

(4,130)

Weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue during the period

21,695,643

25,092,155

Revenue earnings per Ordinary share (p)

1.00

0.68

Capital earnings per Ordinary share (p)

23.71

(17.14)

Total earnings per Ordinary share (p)

24.71

(16.46)

 

4.   Transaction Costs

 

The following transaction costs were incurred during the period:

 

 

Six months to
30 September 2016
£'000

Six months to
30 September 2015
£'000

Purchases

4

4

Sales

6

1

Total

10

5

 

5.   Retained Earnings

 

The table below shows the movement in the retained earnings analysed between revenue and capital

items.

 

 

Revenue
£'000

Capital
£'000

Total
£'000

At 31 March 2016

244

(20,872)

(20,628)

Movement during the period:

 

 

 

Net income for the period

218

5,145

5,363

Shares repurchased

-

(1,465)

(1,465)

Ordinary shares reissued from Treasury

-

27

27

Dividends paid

(138)

-

(138)

At 30 September 2016

324

(17,165)

(16,841)

 

6.   Net Asset Value per Ordinary share

 

The Net Asset Value per Ordinary share is based on the net assets attributable to the Ordinary shareholders of £37,212,000 (31 March 2016: £33,418,000) and on 21,192,143 (31 March 2016: 22,161,844) Ordinary shares, being the number of Ordinary shares in issue at the period end excluding Treasury shares.

 

7.   Fair valuation of investments

 

The fair value hierarchy analysis for investments held at fair value at the period end is as follows:

 

 

30 September 2016

31 March 2016

 

Level 1
£'000

Level 2
£'000 

Level 3
£'000

Total
£'000

Level 1
£'000

Level 2
£'000

Level 3
£'000

Total
£'000

Investments

36,896

-

-

36,896

32,866

20

32,886

 

36,896

-

-

36,896

32,866

-

20

32,886

 

A reconciliation of fair value measurements in Level 3 is set out in the following table:

 

 

30 September 2016
£'000

30 September 2015
£'000

Opening balance

20

20

Fair value movements

(20)

 

Closing balances

-

20

 

Level 1 reflects financial instruments quoted in an active market.

 

Level 2 reflects financial instruments whose fair value is evidenced by comparison with other observable current market transactions in the same instrument or based on a valuation technique whose variables includes only data from observable markets.

 

Level 3 reflects financial instruments whose fair value is determined in whole or in part using a valuation technique based on assumptions that are not supported by prices from observable market transactions in the same instrument and not based on available observable market data.

 

8.   Principal risk profile

 

The principal risks which the Company faces include exposure to:

 

(i)   market price risk, including currency risk, interest rate risk and other price risk;

(ii)   liquidity risk

(iii)  credit and counterparty risk

 

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

 

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

 

Credit and counterparty risk - This is the exposure to loss from the failure of a counterparty to deliver securities or cash for acquisitions or to repay deposits.

 

Further details of the Company's management of these risks can be found in Note 12 of the Company's Annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2016.

 

There have been no changes to the management of or the exposure to these risks since that date.

 

9.   Related parties

 

Jupiter Unit Trust Managers Limited ('JUTM'), the Alternative Investment Fund Manager, is a company within the same group as Jupiter Asset Management Limited, the Investment Adviser. JUTM receives an investment management fee as set out below.

 

JUTM is contracted to provide investment management services to the Company (subject to termination by not less than twelve months' notice by either party) for a fee payable monthly, of one twelfth of 0.85 per cent. of the net assets of the Company after deduction of the value of any Jupiter managed investments.

 

The management fee payable to JUTM for the period 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2016 was £148,008 (year to 31 March 2016: 297,419) with £77,289 (31 March 2016: £68,427) outstanding at period end.

 

JUTM is also entitled to an investment performance fee which is based on the outperformance of the Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share over the total return on the Benchmark Index in an accounting year. Any performance fee payable will equal the time weighted average number of Ordinary shares in issue during the period multiplied by 15 per cent. of the amount by which the increase in the Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share (plus any dividends per Ordinary Share paid or payable and any accrual for unpaid performance fees for the period) exceeds the total return on the Benchmark Index. The performance fee will only be payable if the Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share (adjusted as described above) exceeds the highest of (i) the Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share on the last business day of the previous performance period; (ii) the Net Asset Value per Ordinary share on the last day of a performance period in respect of which a performance fee was last paid: and (iii) 100p. The total amount of management fees and any performance fee payable in respect of one accounting period is limited to 1.75 per cent. of the Net Asset Value of the Company on the last business day of the relevant performance period. There was no performance fee payable for the period ended 30 September 2016 (31 March 2016: £nil).

 

The Company has invested from time to time in funds managed by Jupiter Investment Management Group Limited or its subsidiaries. There was one such investment with a market value of £339,000 (31 March 2016: Nil). No investment management fee is payable by the Company to Jupiter Asset Management Limited in respect of the Company's holdings in investment trusts, open-ended funds and investment companies in respect of which Jupiter Investment Management Group Limited, or any subsidiary undertaking of Jupiter Investment Management Group Limited, receives fees as investment manager or investment adviser.

 

 

 

Availability of Half Yearly Financial Report

 

The Half Yearly Financial Report will shortly be available on Company's website (www.jupiteram.com/JGC). Copies may also be obtained from the registered office of the Company at The Zig Zag Building, 70 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6SQ on request.

 

By Order of the Board

Jupiter Asset Management Limited, Secretaries

29 November 2016

 

Enquiries:

Richard Pavry

Head of Investment Trusts

Jupiter Asset Management Limited, Company Secretary

investmentcompanies@jupiteram.com

020 3817 1496

 


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