ProVen Growth and Income VCT plc: Half-year report
PROVEN GROWTH AND INCOME VCT PLC
Half-yearly report
For the six months ended 31 August 2019
Financial Summary
| 31 August 2019 | 31 August 2018 | 28 February 2019 | |
| Net asset value per share (“NAV”) | 63.2p | 74.3p | 68.4p |
| Dividends paid since class launch (Originally as ‘C’ Shares) | 62.9p | 56.4p | 60.9p |
| Total return (NAV plus dividends paid since ‘C’ Share class launch) | 126.1p | 130.7p | 129.3p |
Chairman’s Statement
Introduction
I have pleasure in presenting the half year report for ProVen Growth and Income VCT plc (the “Company”) for the six months ended 31 August 2019.
Net asset value
During the six-month period, the net asset value (“NAV”) per share decreased from 68.4p to 63.2p at 31 August 2019. The decrease of 5.2p comprised a 3.2p decrease largely from valuation movements plus the dividend of 2.0p for the year ended 28 February 2019 paid in July 2019.
Portfolio activity and valuation
During the six months to 31 August 2019, a total of £16.3 million was invested. This comprised £9.9 million into four new investments, Papier Ltd, Sannpa Limited (t/a Fnatic), Arctic Shores Limited and Picasso Labs, Inc., and £6.4 million into five existing portfolio companies to support their continued growth and development.
There was also one full disposal in the period, namely 7digital Group plc. This resulted in an overall loss of £400,000 against cost though fair valuation losses on the investment had largely been recognised in previous periods. The sale was a strategic decision seeing that, following recent developments in the company, the Company’s shareholding would have soon become VCT non-qualifying.
The venture capital investment portfolio showed disappointing net unrealised losses for the six-month period of £4.9 million. This equates to an approximate 7.7% decrease in valuation on the portfolio position at 28 February 2019 and reflects a more cautious outlook on several portfolio companies.
Results and dividends
The total loss on ordinary activities after taxation for the six-month period to 31 August 2019 was £5.9 million.
During the six-month period, a final dividend of 2.0p per share in respect of the year ended 28 February 2019 was paid on 19 July 2019 to Shareholders on the register at 21 June 2019 following shareholder approval at the Company’s AGM.
The Board has declared an interim dividend of 1.5p per share which will be paid on 6 December 2019 to shareholders on the register at 15 November 2019. The dividend represents a cash return of 2.3% on the opening NAV per share at 1 March 2019, adjusted for the July dividend of 2.0p per share. The declaration of this interim dividend will result in an equivalent reduction in the Company’s NAV per share.
Shareholders are reminded that the Company operates a Dividend Reinvestment Scheme (“DRIS”) for shareholders who wish to have their dividends reinvested in new shares and obtain further income tax relief on those shares, subject to the usual restrictions. If you are not currently registered for the DRIS and wish to have your dividends paid in the form of new shares, DRIS forms are available from the www.provenvcts.co.uk website or by contacting Beringea on 020 7845 7820. Shareholders will need to be registered for the DRIS prior to 15 November 2019 to be eligible to receive the forthcoming dividend as new shares.
Board appointment
I am delighted to announce the appointment of Anna Kuriakose to the Board effective from 1 November 2019.
Anna is Chief Product Officer at TotallyMoney, one of the UK’s fastest growing fintech companies which seeks to assist customers in making smarter and more informed credit choices and which last year raised £29 million from investors to accelerate its development. She is also the founder of ScaleupLean, an advisory business that provides coaching, strategy and tools for startups and companies building technology products. Anna’s wide range of experience in product and technology will provide new and complementary skills to the existing Board as we navigate the investment opportunities ahead.
Fund raising and share issues
The Company launched a combined offer for subscription with ProVen VCT plc on 11 January 2019 to raise up to a total of £30 million per company, with an over-allotment facility of £10 million per company.
During the period, the Company allotted 43,969,723 shares at an average price of 70.7p per share under the Company’s offer for subscription dated 11 January 2019. In the same period, the Company allotted a further 851,834 shares at 65.2p per share under the Company’s DRIS in respect of the dividend paid on 19 July 2019.
Since 31 August 2019, the Company has allotted a further 7,732,634 shares at an average price of 66.0p per share. The Company’s offer was fully subscribed at this point.
Share buybacks
The Company continues to operate a policy of purchasing its own shares as they become available in the market at a discount of approximately 5% to the latest published NAV.
During the period, the Company completed purchases of 847,155 shares at an average price of 63.4p per share and for aggregate consideration (net of costs) of £537,236. This represented 0.6% of the shares in issue at the start of the period. The shares were subsequently cancelled.
Outlook
Following several significant disposals by the Company during its last two financial years, which generated substantial realised capital gains for shareholders, I anticipate a quieter period for disposals over the next six months. However, large corporates are still highly acquisitive, so the possibility of further disposals in the next year or so should not be discounted.
The Company has been an active investor in the half year with a number of completed investments and further ones at an advanced stage. The Investment Manager reports a healthy and robust flow of new investment opportunities and the Company is well positioned to pursue these and others given the recent strong fundraising.
Despite Brexit uncertainty and other global trade tensions slowing down the economy, small companies with innovative and attractive market propositions have the potential to grow significantly more quickly than the economy as a whole. The Company’s investment focus is on such companies and as a consequence I continue to be cautiously optimistic about the long term performance of the Company notwithstanding short term or wider economic headwinds.
Marc Vlessing OBE
Chairman
4 November 2019
Investment Manager’s Report
Introduction
We have pleasure in presenting our half year report for ProVen Growth and Income VCT plc (the “Company”) for the six months ended 31 August 2019.
Investment activity and portfolio valuation
At 31 August 2019, the Company’s investment portfolio comprised 44 investments at a cost of £77.6 million and a valuation of £74.1 million. This represents an overall unrealised decrease on cost of £3.5 million or 4.5%.
During the period, the Company invested a further £16.3 million, comprising £9.9 million into four new companies and £6.4 million into five existing portfolio companies.
The Company invested in Papier (£3.15 million), a stationery retailer specialising in curated collections unique to the market, in July 2019. The new investment in Sannpa Ltd (t/a Fnatic) (£2.84 million), an eSports team owner and lifestyle brand, with professional teams in the most popular games such as League of Legends, Dota 2 and Battlefield 4, was completed in April 2019 and was discussed in the Company’s most recent annual report. The Company invested in Arctic Shores (£2.45 million), a provider of data-driven psychometric tests combining neuroscience, artificial intelligence and game technology for more predictive and less biased hiring, in August 2019. The Company also invested £1.47 million in Picasso Labs, an automated creative measurement platform that aims to enhance creativity through objectivity. Their technology is used globally by Fortune 500 brands like Unilever, Mondelez, Heineken, ABI, and more to measure creative efficiency, consistency, and impact across all creatives worldwide.
The follow-on investments were made into ContactEngine (£1.64 million), Aistemos (£1.40 million), Thread (£1.40 million), Mycs (£1.25 million) and MPB (£700,000).
The Company’s shareholding in 7digital Group plc was sold in the period. This resulted in a loss against cost of £400,000 though fair valuation losses on the investment had largely been recognised in previous periods and therefore had negligible impact on the NAV during the period. The sale was a strategic decision as, following recent developments in the company, the Company’s shareholding would soon become VCT non-qualifying.
Skills Matter repaid a small amount of its loan notes (£68,000) during the period, but has been unable to secure further funding and so we continue to have a full provision against the remaining investment.
Following an interim distribution in respect of the administration of MEL Topco Limited (t/a Maplin) in July 2018, an additional £68,000 was received in August 2019.
Overall, the venture capital investment portfolio showed an unrealised loss of £4.9 million, equivalent to 2.6p per share over the period. There were valuation uplifts for, amongst others, ContactEngine and DeepCrawl, but disappointingly these were more than offset by valuation decreases for Blis Media, Smart Assistant, POQ Studio, My First Years, InContext and Cogora Group.
Post period end portfolio activity
Since 31 August 2019, there has been no significant portfolio activity in the Company to report.
Outlook
Following two financial years marked by successful disposals and substantial realised profits for shareholders, we are focused on investing the funds raised this year, generating a significant pipeline of investment opportunities and continuing to support the growth of our portfolio companies. We do, however, anticipate a quieter period for disposals over the next six months.
We have successfully completed four new investments over the past six months, backing growing businesses in rapidly emerging industries such as artificial intelligence and eSports. These investments, which we selected through rigorous commercial and financial due diligence, show that innovative companies are continuing to flourish in spite of any political or economic headwinds.
Five existing portfolio companies – ContactEngine, MPB, Thread, Mycs and Aistemos – have shown resilient growth that enabled them to raise follow-on funding. This, taken with the prospect of a strong pipeline of future investment prospects, makes us cautiously confident about the longer-term performance of the Company.
Beringea LLP
4 November 2019
Summary of Investment portfolio
as at 31 August 2019
| Cost£’000 | Valuation£’000 | Valuation movement in period£’000 | % of portfolio by value | |
| Top twenty venture capital investments (by value) | ||||
| Dryden Holdings Limited | 5,000 | 4,761 | - | 4.0% |
| Zoovu Limited (t/a Smart Assistant) | 3,653 | 4,621 | (1,478) | 3.9% |
| ContactEngine Limited | 2,330 | 4,600 | 926 | 3.9% |
| Sealskinz Holdings Limited | 3,116 | 4,461 | 30 | 3.7% |
| Poq Studio Limited | 2,848 | 3,797 | (801) | 3.2% |
| Thread, Inc. | 3,309 | 3,748 | 414 | 3.1% |
| D30 Holdings Ltd | 3,550 | 3,743 | 387 | 3.1% |
| Infinity Reliance Limited (t/a My 1st Years) | 2,769 | 3,276 | (769) | 2.7% |
| Papier Ltd | 3,150 | 3,150 | - | 2.6% |
| Written Byte Ltd (t/a DeepCrawl) | 1,612 | 2,861 | 667 | 2.4% |
| Sannpa Limited (t/a Fnatic) | 2,839 | 2,839 | - | 2.4% |
| Mycs GmbH | 2,520 | 2,520 | - | 2.1% |
| Arctic Shores Limited | 2,450 | 2,450 | - | 2.1% |
| Response Tap Limited | 1,440 | 2,313 | (161) | 1.9% |
| Blis Media Limited | 1,083 | 2,091 | (1,587) | 1.8% |
| MPB Group Limited | 1,489 | 1,875 | 386 | 1.6% |
| Rapid Charge Grid Limited | 1,888 | 1,854 | 28 | 1.6% |
| Been There Done That Global Limited | 1,448 | 1,778 | 331 | 1.5% |
| Aistemos Limited | 1,681 | 1,678 | (2) | 1.4% |
| Litchfield Media Limited | 1,420 | 1,664 | - | 1.4% |
| Other venture capital investments | 28,013 | 14,062 | (3,230) | 12.0% |
| Total venture capital investments | 77,608 | 74,142 | (4,859) | 62.4% |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 44,760 | 37.6% | ||
| Total investments | 118,902 | 100.0% |
Other venture capital investments at 31 August 2019 comprise:Access Systems, Inc., Buckingham Gate Financial Services Limited, Cogora Group Limited, Deltadot Limited, Disposable Cubicle Curtains Limited, Donatantonio Limited, Duncannon Holdings Limited, Exonar Limited, Firefly Learning Limited, Iridium Topco Limited (formerly Honeycomb.TV Limited), InContext Solutions, Inc., Inskin Media Limited, Lantum Limited, MEL Topco Limited (t/a Maplin), Monica Vinader Limited, Netcall plc, Picasso Labs, Inc., Senselogix Limited, Simplestream Limited, Skills Matter Limited, TVPlayer Limited, Utility Exchange Online Limited, Vigilant Applications Limited and Whistle Sports, Inc.
With the exception of Netcall plc which is quoted on AIM, all venture capital investments are unquoted.
All of the above investments, with the exception of Deltadot Limited, Duncannon Holdings Limited and Dryden Holdings Limited were also held by ProVen VCT plc, of which Beringea LLP is the investment manager.
All venture capital investments are registered in England and Wales except for InContext Solutions, Inc., Picasso Labs, Inc., Thread, Inc. and Whistle Sports, Inc. which are Delaware registered corporations in the United States of America, and Mycs GmbH, which is registered in Germany.
Summary of investment movements
for the six months ended 31 August 2019
Investment activity during the six months ended 31 August 2019 is summarised as follows:
| Additions | Cost |
| £’000 | |
| Papier Ltd | 3,150 |
| Sannpa Limited (t/a Fnatic) | 2,839 |
| Arctic Shores Limited | 2,450 |
| ContactEngine Limited | 1,642 |
| Picasso Labs, Inc. | 1,470 |
| Aistemos Limited | 1,404 |
| Thread, Inc. | 1,400 |
| Mycs GmbH | 1,245 |
| MPB Group Limited | 700 |
| Total | 16,300 |
| Disposals | Cost | Market value at 1 March 2019 | Disposal proceeds | Gain/ (loss) against cost | Realised gain in period |
| £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | |
| MEL Topco Limited* (t/a Maplin) | - | - | 68 | 68 | 68 |
| Skills Matter Limited | 68 | - | 68 | - | 68 |
| 7digital Group plc | 400 | 1 | - | (400) | (1) |
| Total | 468 | 1 | 136 | (332) | 135 |
*The proceeds received in respect of MEL Topco Limited (t/a Maplin) reflected a further interim distribution in respect of the company’s administration.
Unaudited Condensed Income Statement
for the six months ended 31 August 2019
| (unaudited) Six months ended 31 Aug 2019 | (unaudited) Six months ended 31 Aug 2018 | (audited) Year ended 28 Feb 2019 | |||||
| Revenue | Capital | Total | Revenue | Capital | Total | Total | |
| £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| Income | 179 | - | 179 | 129 | - | 129 | 355 |
| Realised gains on investments | - | 337 | 337 | - | 4,162 | 4,162 | 3,145 |
| Unrealised (losses)/ gains on investments | - | (4,859) | (4,859) | - | 3,537 | 3,537 | 3,375 |
| Investment management fee | (305) | (916) | (1,221) | (271) | (814) | (1,085) | (2,083) |
| Performance incentive fee | - | - | - | - | (505) | (505) | (331) |
| Other expenses | (292) | (1) | (293) | (317) | - | (317) | (627) |
| (Loss)/ return on ordinary activities before taxation | (418) | (5,439) | (5,857) | (459) | 6,380 | 5,921 | 3,834 |
| Tax on ordinary activities | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| (Loss)/ return attributable to equity shareholders | (418) | (5,439) | (5,857) | (459) | 6,380 | 5,921 | 3,834 |
| Basic and diluted (loss)/ return per share | (0.2p) | (3.1p) | (3.3p) | (0.3p) | 4.4p | 4.1p | 2.7p |
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. The total column within this statement represents the Unaudited Condensed Income Statement of the Company.
The Company has no recognised gains or losses other than the results for the six-month period as set out above.
The accompanying notes form an integral part of this announcement.
Unaudited Condensed Statement of Financial Position
as at 31 August 2019
| (unaudited) 31 Aug 2019 £'000 | (unaudited) 31 Aug 2018 £'000 | (audited) 28 Feb 2019 £'000 | |
| Fixed assets | |||
| Investments | 74,142 | 63,340 | 62,769 |
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 944 | 2,263 | 481 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 44,760 | 42,151 | 36,380 |
| 45,704 | 44,414 | 36,861 | |
| Creditors: amounts falling due within one year | (965) | (1,111) | (1,157) |
| Net current assets | 44,739 | 43,303 | 35,704 |
| Net assets | 118,881 | 106,643 | 98,473 |
| Capital and reserves | |||
| Called up share capital | 3,044 | 2,323 | 2,331 |
| Capital redemption reserve | 32 | 4 | 19 |
| Share premium account | 31,852 | - | 946 |
| Special reserve | 65,489 | 77,908 | 70,856 |
| Capital reserve - realised | 18,071 | 16,292 | 19,050 |
| Revaluation reserve | 2,583 | 11,611 | 7,043 |
| Revenue reserve | (2,190) | (1,495) | (1,772) |
| Total equity shareholders' funds | 118,881 | 106,643 | 98,473 |
| Basic and diluted net asset value per share | 63.2p | 74.3p | 68.4p |
The accompanying notes form an integral part of this announcement.
| Six months ended 31 Aug 2019 (unaudited) | Called up share capital | Capital redemption reserve | Share premium account | Special reserve | Capital reserve - realised | Revaluation reserve | Revenue reserve | Total |
| £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| At 1 March 2019 | 2,331 | 19 | 946 | 70,856 | 19,050 | 7,043 | (1,772) | 98,473 |
| Issue of new shares | 726 | - | 30,906 | (1,149) | - | - | - | 30,483 |
| Total comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | (580) | (4,859) | (418) | (5,857) |
| Transfer of previously unrealised gains now realised | - | - | - | - | (399) | 399 | - | - |
| Share buybacks and cancellation | (13) | 13 | - | (541) | - | - | - | (541) |
| Dividends paid | - | - | - | (3,677) | - | - | - | (3,667) |
| At 31 August 2019 | 3,044 | 32 | 31,852 | 65,489 | 18,071 | 2,583 | (2,190) | 118,881 |
Unaudited Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity
| Six months ended 31 Aug 2018 (unaudited) | Called up share capital | Capital redemption reserve | Share premium account | Special reserve | Capital reserve - realised | Revaluation reserve | Revenue reserve | Total |
| £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |
| At 1 March 2018 | 2,330 | 1,168 | 69,935 | 9,970 | 11,443 | 10,080 | (1,036) | 103,890 |
| Issue of new shares | 9 | - | 410 | - | - | - | - | 419 |
| Total comprehensive income | - | - | - | - | 2,843 | 3,537 | (459) | 5,921 |
| Transfer of previously unrealised gains now realised | - | - | - | - | 2,006 | (2,006) | - | - |
| Cancellation of capital redemption reserve | - | (1,180) | - | 1,180 | - | - | - | -? |
| Cancellation of share premium account | - | - | (70,345) | 70,345 | - | - | - | - |
| Share buybacks and cancellation | (16) | 16 | - | (723) | - | - | - | (723) |
| Dividends paid | - | - | - | (2,864) | - | - | - | (2,864) |
| At 31 August 2018 | 2,323 | 4 | - | 77,908 | 16,292 | 11,611 | (1,495) | 106,643 |
The special reserve, capital reserve - realised and revenue reserve are distributable reserves. Reserves available for distribution therefore amount to £81,370,000 (2018: £92,705,000).
The accompanying notes form an integral part of this half-yearly report.
Unaudited Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
for the six months ended 31 August 2019
| (unaudited) Six months ended 31 Aug 2019 | (unaudited) Six months ended 31 Aug 2018 | (audited) Year ended 28 Feb 2019 | ||||
| Note | £'000 | £'000 | £'000 | |||
| Net cash used in operating activities | A | (1,686) | (4,097) | (3,536) | ||
| Cashflows from investing activities | ||||||
| Purchase of investments | (16,300) | (3,706) | (9,900) | |||
| Sale of investments | 136 | 9,060 | 14,741 | |||
| Net cash (used in)/ from investing activities | (16,164) | 5,354 | 4,841 | |||
| Cashflows from financing activities | ||||||
| Proceeds from share issues | 31,077 | - | - | |||
| Share issue costs | (1,151) | - | - | |||
| Purchase of own shares | (574) | (723) | (1,057) | |||
| Equity dividends paid | (3,122) | (2,445) | (7,930) | |||
| Net cash from/ (used in) financing | 26,230 | (3,168) | (8,987) | |||
| Increase/ (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | B | 8,380 | (1,911) | (7,682) | ||
| Notes to the cash flow statement: | ||||||
| A Cash flow from operating activities | ||||||
| (Loss)/ return on ordinary activities before taxation | (5,857) | 5,921 | 3,834 | |||
| Loss/ (gain) on investments | 4,522 | (7,699) | (6,520) | |||
| Increase in prepayments, accrued income and other debtors | (194) | (1,755) | (68) | |||
| Decrease in accruals and other creditors | (157) | (564) | (782) | |||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (1,686) | (4,097) | (3,536) | |||
| B Analysis of net funds | ||||||
| Beginning of period/ year | 36,380 | 44,062 | 44,062 | |||
| Net cash inflows/ (outflows) | 8,380 | (1,911) | (7,682) | |||
| End of period/ year | 44,760 | 42,151 | 36,380 | |||
The accompanying notes form an integral part of this announcement.
Notes to the half-yearly report
for the six months ended 31 August 2019
1. Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The Company has prepared its financial statements under Financial Reporting Standard 104 (“FRS104”) and in accordance with the Statement of Recommended Practice ‘Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts’ (the “SORP”) issued by the Association of Investment Companies (“AIC”) in February 2018.
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently throughout the period. Further details of principal accounting policies were disclosed in the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 28 February 2019. There has been no change to the accouting policies from those disclosed in the financial statements for the year ended 28 February 2019.
The unaudited financial statements set out herein have not been subject to review by the auditor and do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The figures for the year ended 28 February 2019 have been extracted from the financial statements for that period, which have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies; the Auditor’s report on those financial statements was unqualified.
a) Presentation of Income Statement
In order to better reflect the activities of an investment company and, in accordance with guidance issued by the AIC, supplementary information which analyses the Income Statement between items of a revenue and capital nature has been presented alongside the Income Statement. The revenue return attributable to equity shareholders is the measure the Directors believe appropriate in assessing the Company’s compliance with certain requirements set out in Part 6 of the Income Tax Act 2007.
b) Investments
Investments, including equity and loan stock, are recognised at their trade date and measured at “fair value through profit or loss” due to investments being managed and performance evaluated on a fair value basis. A financial asset is designated within this category if it is both acquired and managed, with a view to selling after a period of time, in accordance with the Company’s documented investment policy. The fair value of an investment upon acquisition is deemed to be cost. Thereafter investments are measured at fair value in accordance with International Private Equity and Venture Capital Valuation Guidelines (“IPEV Guidelines”) issued in December 2018, together with Sections 11 and 12 of FRS102.
Publicly traded investments are measured using bid prices in accordance with the IPEV Guidelines.
Key judgements and estimates
The valuation methodologies used by the Directors for estimating the fair value of unquoted investments are in accordance with the IPEV guidelines and as follows:
- where a company is in the early stage of development, the estimate of fair value is calculated based on market data and assumptions as to the potential outcomes and may for a limited period be based on the price of a recent transaction;
- where a company is well established after an appropriate period, the investment may be valued by applying a suitable earnings or revenue multiple to that company’s maintainable earnings or revenue. The multiple used is based on comparable listed companies or a sector but discounted to reflect factors such as the different sizes of the comparable businesses, different growth rates and the lack of marketability of unquoted shares;
- where a value is indicated by a material arm's-length transaction by a third party in the shares of the company, the valuation will normally be based on this, reviewed for impairment as appropriate;
- where alternative methods of valuation, such as net assets of the business or the discounted cash flows arising from the business are more appropriate, then such methods may be used; and
- where repayment of the equity is not probable, redemption premiums will be recognised.
The methodology applied takes account of the nature, facts and circumstances of the individual investment and uses reasonable data, market inputs, assumptions and estimates in order to ascertain fair value. Methodologies are applied consistently from year to year except where a change results in a better estimate of fair value.
Where an investee company has gone into receivership or liquidation, or the loss in value below cost is considered to be permanent, or there is little likelihood of a recovery from a company in administration, the loss on the investment, although not physically disposed of, is treated as being realised.
All investee companies are held as part of an investment portfolio and measured at fair value. Therefore, it is not the policy for investee companies to be consolidated and any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value are included in the Unaudited Condensed Income Statement for the period as a capital item.
Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are included in the Unaudited Condensed Income Statement for the period as a capital item and transaction costs on acquisition or disposal of the investment are expensed.
Investments are derecognised when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire or the Company transfers the asset and substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership of the asset to another entity.
- All revenue and capital items in the Unaudited Condensed Income Statement derive from continuing operations.
- There are no other items of comprehensive income other than those disclosed in the Unaudited Condensed Income Statement.
- The Company has only one operating segment as reported to the Board of Directors in their capacity as chief operating decision makers and derives its income from investments made in shares, securities and bank deposits.
- The comparative figures are in respect of the year ended 28 February 2019 and the six-month period ended 31 August 2018.
- Basic and diluted return per share for the period has been calculated on 177,779,487 shares, being the weighted average number of shares in issue during the period.
- Basic and diluted NAV per share for the period has been calculated on 188,021,663 shares, being the number of shares in issue at the period end.
- Dividends
| (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||||
| Six months ended | Six months ended | Year ended | ||||||||
| 31 Aug 2019 | 31 Aug 2018 | 28 Feb 2019 | ||||||||
| Revenue | Capital | Total | Revenue | Capital | Total | Total | ||||
| Pence | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | |||
| 2018 Final | 2.0 | - | - | - | - | 2,864 | 2,864 | 2,864 | ||
| 2019 Special Interim | 4.5 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 6,453 | ||
| 2019 Final | 2.0 | - | 3,667 | 3,667 | - | - | - | - | ||
| Total dividends paid | - | 3,667 | 3,667 | - | 2,864 | 2,864 | 9,317 | |||
9. Contingent liabilities, guarantees and financial commitments
Based on the NAV per share at 31 August 2019, before any performance fee accrual, and cumulative dividends paid and payable ahead of 29 February 2020, no performance fee is currently payable. The performance fee structure contains certain restrictions to ensure that hurdles are met before the payment of a performance fee and to encourage the payment of tax-free dividends. After applying these restrictions, no accrual has been made for a performance fee at 31 August 2019. Any performance incentive fee, if any, will only be payable once the full year results have been finalised.
The Company has no contingent liabilities, guarantees or financial commitments at 31 August 2019.
10. Called up share capital
The Company launched a combined offer for subscription with ProVen VCT plc on 11 January 2019 to raise up to a total of £30 million per company, with an over-allotment facility of £10 million per company.
During the period, the Company allotted 43,969,723 shares at an average price of 70.7p per share under the 11 January offer. In the same period, the Company allotted a further 851,834 shares at 65.2p per share under the Company’s DRIS in respect of the dividend paid on 19 July 2019.
During the period, the Company completed purchases of 847,155 shares at an average price of 63.4p per share and for aggregate consideration (net of costs) of £537,236. This represented 0.6% of the shares in issue at the start of the period. The shares were subsequently cancelled.
Since 31 August 2019, the Company has allotted a further 7,732,634 shares at an average price of 66.0p per share. The Company’s offer was fully subscribed at this point.
- Financial instruments
Investments are valued at fair value as determined using the measurement policies described in note 1.
The Company has categorised its financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, using the fair value hierarchy as follows:
Level 1 Reflects instruments quoted in an active market.
Level 2 Reflects financial instruments that have been valued using inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable.
Level 3 Reflects financial instruments that have been valued using valuation techniques with unobservable inputs.
| (unaudited) 31 Aug 2019 | (audited) 28 Feb 2019 | |||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |
| £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | £’000 | |
| AIM quoted | 159 | - | - | 159 | 143 | - | - | 143 |
| Loan notes | - | - | 14,352 | 14,352 | - | - | 15,451 | 15,451 |
| Unquoted equity | - | - | 24,558 | 24,558 | - | - | 27,715 | 27,715 |
| Preference shares | - | - | 35,073 | 35,073 | - | - | 19,460 | 19,460 |
| Total | 159 | - | 73,983 | 74,142 | 143 | - | 62,626 | 62,769 |
There have been no transfers between the three levels outlined above.
12. Controlling party and related party transactions
In the opinion of the Directors there is no immediate or ultimate controlling party.
Malcolm Moss, a Director of the Company, is also a Partner of Beringea LLP. Beringea LLP was the Company’s Investment Manager during the period. During the six months ended 31 August 2019, £1,221,000 (2018: £1,085,000) was payable to Beringea LLP in respect of these services. At the period end the Company owed Beringea LLP £219,000 (2018: £181,000).
Beringea LLP was also the Company’s Administration Manager during the period. Fees paid to Beringea in its capacity as Administration Manager for the six months ended 31 August 2019 amounted to £27,000 (2018: £27,000) of which £14,000 (2018: £14,000) remained outstanding at the period end.
As the Company’s investment manager, Beringea LLP is also entitled to receive a performance incentive fee based on the Company’s performance for each financial year to 28 February. The performance incentive fee arrangements are set out, in detail, in the Annual Report and Accounts. For the period ended 31 August 2019, no performance incentive fee has been accrued. The actual performance incentive fee, if any, will only be payable once the full year results have been finalised.
Beringea LLP may charge arrangement fees, in line with industry practice, to companies in which it invests. It may also receive directors fees or monitoring fees from investee companies. These costs are borne by the investee company not the Company. In the six-month period to 31 August 2019, £316,000 (2018: £93,000) was payable to Beringea LLP for arrangement fees under such arrangements. Directors and monitoring fees payable to Beringea LLP in the six-month period to 31 August 2019 amounted to £253,000 (2018: £274,000).
During the six months to 31 August 2019, an amount of £60,000 (2018: £60,000) was payable to the Directors of the Company as remuneration for services provided to the Company. No amount was outstanding at the period-end.
- The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge, the half-yearly financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 104 issued by the Financial Reporting Council and the half-yearly financial report includes a fair review of the information required by:
- DTR 4.2.7R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being an indication of important events that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their impact on the condensed set of financial statements, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year; and
- DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules, being related party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the current financial year and that have materially affected the financial position or performance of the entity during that period, and any changes in the related party transactions described in the last annual report that could do so.
- Risk and uncertainties
- investment risk associated with investing in small and immature businesses;
- investment risk arising from volatile stock market conditions and their potential effect on the value of the Company’s venture capital investments and the exit opportunity for those investments; and
- breach of VCT regulations.
Under the Disclosure and Transparency Directive, the Board is required in the Company’s half-yearly results, to report on the principal risks and uncertainties facing the Company over the remainder of the financial year.
The Board has concluded that the key risks facing the Company over the remainder of the financial year are as follows:
In the case of (i), the Board is satisfied with the Company’s approach. The Investment Manager follows a rigorous process in vetting and careful structuring of new investments and, after an investment is made, close monitoring of the business. In respect of (ii), the Company seeks to hold a diversified portfolio. However, the Company’s ability to manage this risk is quite limited, primarily due to the restrictions arising from the VCT regulations.
The Company's compliance with the VCT regulations is continually monitored by the Administration Manager, who reports regularly to the Board on the current position. The Company also retains Philip Hare & Associates LLP to provide regular reviews and advice in this area. The Board considers that this approach reduces the risk of a breach of the VCT regulations to an appropriate level.
15. Going concern
The Directors have reviewed the Company’s financial resources at the period end and concluded that the Company is well placed to manage its business risks.
The Board confirms that it is satisfied that the Company has adequate resources to continue in business for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the Board believes that the Company continues to be a going concern and that it is appropriate to apply the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
Copies of the unaudited half yearly results will be sent to shareholders. Further copies can be obtained from the Company’s registered office and will be available for download from www.provenvcts.co.uk.
16. Post balance sheet events
Since 31 August 2019, there have been no post balance sheet events, either adjusting or non-adjusting, in the Company to report.
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