Annual Financial Report

RNS Number : 0663J
Securities Trust of Scotland PLC
06 June 2014
 



Securities Trust of Scotland plc (the "company")

 

Annual Financial Results

Year to 31 March 2014

 

The financial information set out below does not constitute the company's statutory accounts for the year ended 31 March 2014 or financial year ended 31 March 2013 but is derived from those accounts.  Statutory accounts for 2013 have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and those for 2014 will be delivered following the company's annual general meeting. 

 

The auditor's have reported on those accounts; their report was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and did not contain statements under s498(2) or (3) Companies Act 2006.

 

A copy of the annual report and accounts has also been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: www.Hemscott.com/nsm.do

 

The annual general meeting of the company will be held at 12.30pm on 24 July 2014, at Saltire Court, 20 Castle Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2ES. Full notice of the meeting can be found within the annual report and accounts.

 

The unedited full text of those parts of the annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2014, which require to be published are set out on the following pages.

 

Financial Summary

 

Key data

 


As at

31 March 2014

As at

31 March 2013

Net asset value per share (cum income)

141.60p

141.76p

Net asset value per share (ex income)

140.40p

140.60p

Share price

144.75p

146.25p

MSCI World High Dividend Yield index

665.22

653.69

Premium

2.22%

3.17%

Average premium*

2.85%

2.98%

 

Total returns‡

 


Year ended

31 March 2014

Year ended

31 March 2013

Share price

2,2%

24.4%

Net Asset value per share

3.3%

23.8%

Benchmark†

5.8%

23.0%

 

Income

 


Year ended

31 March 2014

Year ended

31 March 2013

Revenue return per share

4.72p

4.71p

Dividend per share

4.80p

4.75p

 

Ongoing charges**

 


Year ended

31 March 2014

Year ended

28 February 2013

Ongoing charges

1.0%

1.0%

 

*    Average premium over 12 week period to 31 March (based on capital only net asset value). 

‡   The combined effect of any dividend paid, together with the rise or fall in the share price, net asset or benchmark. 

†   MSCI World High Dividend Yield index.

**  Ongoing charges (as a percentage of shareholders' funds) are calculated using average net assets over the year. The ongoing charges figure has been calculated in line with the AIC's recommended methodology.

 

 

Chairman's Statement

 

Welcome to your latest annual report, which covers the 12 months to 31 March 2014.  As is outlined in the manager's review set out below, this was a volatile and eventful period for global equities. However, despite all the macroeconomic comment - much of it driven by the prospect of the US Federal Reserve withdrawing its massive stimulus programme - the company produced a positive total return for the year. It is disappointing to note that the company was unable to keep pace with its benchmark over the period. The board supports the research driven, long term approach adopted by the manager and remains confident that the manager's stock picking strategy will be rewarded over time.

 

The net asset value total return was 3.3% compared with the benchmark's return of 5.8%. The share price total return was 2.2%.

 

Revenues and dividends

 

The revenue return per share for the 12 months was 4.72p, a rise of 0.2% compared with the 12 months to 31 March 2013. This return was adversely affected by certain headwinds, notably currency. The company has paid three interim dividends of 1.15p share and the board has declared a fourth interim dividend of 1.35p per share, making a total of 4.80p over the year - an increase of 1.0% from the previous year. The fourth interim dividend will be paid on 4 July 2014 to shareholders on the register on 20 June 2014.

 

Borrowing

 

£10 million was drawn down for the full financial year and the loan facility was reduced from £14 million to £10 million with effect from 27 September 2013. The company maintained the level of gearing between 5.7% and 6.7% during the period - this allowed the manager to enhance returns for shareholders.

 

Share issues

 

The continued rising demand from investors is truly a sign of how much the company has achieved following the change to a global mandate in August 2011. We were pleased to receive shareholder approval in August 2013 to issue up to 100 million new shares and hope to sustain interest in the company through continued long term positive performance and strong returns. At the time of writing we have issued 9,150,000 new shares since August 2013.

 

Board

 

As you may have seen in our interim report, Charles Berry retired from the board during the summer of 2013 having served eight years on the board. I would like to thank Charles for his dedicated service to the board and wish him all the best for the future. Angus Gordon Lennox was appointed as a director on 1 November, and has already made a valuable contribution to our company. Prior to joining the board, Angus had over 20 years experience at Cazenove, latterly heading the Investment Companies Department.

 

Regulatory changes

 

The directors' report contained in the annual report contains a statement of regulatory changes which will affect the company in the future, the most notable of which being the implementation of the European Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive.

 

 

 

Recognition

 

It was recently our pleasure to announce that the company has been included as one of Money Observer magazine's Rated Funds for 2014.

 

The publication has reviewed both open and closed-ended funds across a range of asset classes to identify consistent strong performers in each area. In selecting our company, Money Observer highlighted the rigorous fundamental research that is undertaken as part of the manager's stock-selection process.

 

The company also enjoys the unique distinction of being the only investment trust included in Money Observer's global equity income category.

 

Outlook

 

Political and macroeconomic events are likely to continue to exert a strong influence on the short-term direction of the world's equity markets in the months ahead. Nevertheless, the longer-term outlook for companies is encouraging. In general, they are in good financial shape, having cut costs and stored cash in the wake of the financial crisis. Whether companies use this cash to pay dividends and buy back shares or to reinvest in the business, either course bodes well for their shareholders, directly or indirectly. And despite the recent strong performance of stockmarkets, equities still look good value compared with other asset classes, especially given the healthy dividends on offer.

 

We firmly believe that the attractions of a global equity income portfolio remain compelling. We are confident that the manager's focus on the outlook for individual companies rather than for countries, sectors or the market as a whole is absolutely the right strategy - especially as the outlook for economies and markets around the world remains uncertain.

 

Keeping in touch

 

I would like to thank you again for your continued support. As ever, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding your company. Contact details can be found at the back of the annual report. I would also encourage you to visit the company's website at www.securitiestrust.com, which is a comprehensive source of information. 

 

Neil Donaldson 

6 June 2014

 

Manager's Review

 

Market review

 

Equity markets performed well in the year ending 31 March 2014, albeit in a divergent and volatile manner. The MSCI World High Dividend Yield index, our benchmark, rose by 5.8% in sterling terms. This compares with the rise in the broader MSCI World and FTSE All-Share indices of 9.0% and 8.8% respectively. The strongest regions were Europe and North America; Asia and emerging markets were the weakest. By sector, healthcare and technology led the field and consumer staples and materials fared the worst.

 

As with the last fiscal year, a number of big macroeconomic concerns dominated market sentiment. Chief among these were the sovereign-debt crisis in the eurozone, the US debt situation, and the sustainability or otherwise of economic growth in the emerging-market economies. Just as important in investors' minds was the action of policy makers in response to these events. Confidence waxed and waned throughout the year according to a number of factors including speculation regarding the US Federal Reserve's timetable for withdrawal from quantitative easing (and the reaction to its eventual commencement), the European Central Bank's support of the eurozone and China's reaction to its credit-squeeze as well as its adoption of market reforms.

 

As can be witnessed by the market movement over the period, and indeed since the bull market started in March 2009, investors have clearly concluded that all is well with the global recovery. It has not been a smooth ride though. Much of the uncertainty throughout the year came from debate surrounding the Fed's 'tapering' of its asset purchases. In the end, the announcement came in its December meeting that reductions would start in January 2014; the programme is expected to finish by the end of 2014. This, in theory, will mark the beginning of interest rate rises. In Europe, the recovery gathered pace throughout the year, though it took a setback in the third quarter of 2013. By the end of 2013, factory activity in the eurozone rose at its fastest pace in two and a half years and the first quarter of 2014 saw the strongest expansion in purchasing managers' activity since early 2011. In China, concerns ebbed and flowed throughout the year about local government debt levels, various weak economic statistics and understanding how the authorities in Beijing would deal with the difficult challenge of sustaining economic growth, while avoiding a financial crisis.

 

Portfolio Review

 

Performance

 

For the full year we underperformed our benchmark. We performed well in Asia by avoiding Australian and Chinese banks which were weak. We performed poorly in North America where our energy names Kinder Morgan and Chevron were weak. By sector, we performed well in financials, utilities and industrials in both Asia and North America. The portfolio performed poorly in consumer discretionary and energy. No individual stocks impacted the portfolio by more than 0.5% over the year. Both our top and bottom ten contributors were spread across six different sectors and all regions. Our top performers included Lockheed Martin, Safran and PNC Financial - all three of which have been long-term holdings and all of which we sold during the period as they reached our target prices. Encouragingly, two of the top ten, BNP Paribas and SSE, are stocks we bought in recent months, with the latter only bought in January. Our weakest performers were Kinder Morgan, WorleyParsons and HSBC. Kinder Morgan has suffered throughout the year from a debate on how it defines capital expenditure - we have discussed this with the company and we are satisfied with its view. WorleyParsons, the Australian engineering consultancy, issued profit warnings last November and we sold the stock because of this. HSBC has been the most disappointing - suffering from its Asia exposure. We believe the growth opportunities that HSBC has in Latin America, Hong Kong and the rest of Asia Pacific is a key tenet to its investment thesis.

 

Activity

 

Key purchases in the year included Aurizon Holding Ltd and Hugo Boss.

 

Aurizon Holding Ltd is an Australian rail-freight operator. We believe the market is underestimating a number of positive factors: the volume growth as the rail- and port-network infrastructure is updated; the pricing improvement as legacy contracts (from when the company was publicly owned) roll-off; and the cost reduction and efficiency improvements now that the company is private. The key signposts will be evidence of volume and margin improvement, contract renewal announcements and rail-infrastructure projects being delivered on time.

 

Hugo Boss is a global premium and luxury apparel company. The company has delivered a combination of sustainable high returns with positive capital management - a combination that sits well with our mandate. Our investment thesis is predicated on the sustainability of its current business strategy, a growth strategy based on four pillars: maximising the brand attractiveness; growing the group's own retail business; improving operational processes; and leveraging the global growth potential.

 

Notable sales in the year included PNC Financial and Safran:

 

We sold our holding in PNC Financial, the US regional bank. As a consequence of strong performance, PNC Financial came close to our target price and saw its dividend yield drop to a prospective 2.2%. Despite the expected strong growth in the dividend, the yield is too low for our strategy.

 

We sold our holding in Safran, the French-quoted aircraft engine manufacturer. As with PNC Financial, after strong share-price performance the stock's prospective dividend yield fell to just above 2.0%. We upgraded our target price for Safran twice in 2013, and the stock went through our revised target price. The fundamentals for the company remain strong, but with consensus up, we felt that the risk/reward balance favoured moving on to another stock.

 

Outlook

 

The key positives for equity markets currently are their attractive yields relative to other asset classes (government bonds in the main), and the fact that global investors are sitting on high cash balances (the highest since July 2012), which is usually a strong contrarian buy signal. Valuations remain neutral for global high-yielding stocks (13.7x and 3.9% yield) versus their own history - though they remain cheap relative to the broader market (on 14.8x and yielding 2.5%) and have underperformed in both 2012 and 2013. Key for me is the state of the corporate sector. Here, balance sheets are strong but confidence, as measured by capital expenditure levels and M&A activity, remains low. The biggest change is that I have upgraded the macro environment from being a negative to being neutral in terms of its support for equity markets. This is based on a continued strengthening of the US economy, a reduction in fiscal tightening across most of the world and ongoing accommodative monetary policies.

 

This adds up to a view on equity markets that is more positive than neutral. However, the more than doubling of equity markets since 2009, the lack of corporate confidence and the legacy hangover of the global financial crisis temper a wholeheartedly positive outlook. As the IMF says, acute risks have decreased, but risks have not disappeared.

 

Alan Porter 

6 June 2014

 

 

Portfolio Distribution as at 31 March

 

 

By region (excluding cash)

 

2014

%

2013

%

Developed Europe

52.2

49.3

North America

37.8

41.0

Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan

6.0

6.8

Japan

2.5

2.9

Global emerging markets

1.5

-


100.0

100.0

 

 

By Sector (excluding cash)

2014

%

2013

%

Healthcare

20

19

Consumer goods

17

18

Financials

14

16

Oil & gas

14

12

Telecommunications

9

11

Consumer services

9

8

Industrials

6

9

Basic materials

5

4

Utilities

4

2

Technology

2

1


100.0

100.0

 

 

By asset class (including cash and borrowings)

2014

%

2013

%

Equities

106

107

Less borrowings

(6)

(7)


100

100

 

 

Largest 10 Holdings

31 March 2014

Market Value

£000

31 March 2014

% of total portfolio

31 March 2013

Market Value

£000

31 March 2013

% of total

portfolio

Roche Holdings

10,977

6.1

5,138

3.1

Pfizer

9,957

5.6

8,173

5.0

Chevron

8,052

4.5

6,813

4.2

Total

7,659

4.3

5,487

3.4

AT & T

7,592

4.2

8,549

5.2

Sanofi

6,513

3.6

6,266

3.8

Royal Dutch Shell ('B' Shares)

5,978

3.3

5,748

3.5

AbbVie

5,904

3.3

3,534

2.2

British American Tobacco

5,764

3.2

4,852

3.0

HSBC Holdings

5,162

2.9

2,168

1.3

 

 


Sector

Country

Market value £

% of total portfolio

Developed Europe



93,509,560

Roche Holdings

Healthcare

Switzerland

10,976,968 

6.13

Total

Oil & gas

France

7,658,529

4.28

Sanofi

Healthcare

France

6,512,808

3.64

Royal Dutch Shell ('B' Shares)

Oil & gas

UK

5,977,590

3.34

British American Tobacco

Consumer goods

UK

5,764,247

3.22

HSBC Holdings

Financials

UK

5,162,384

2.88

BHP Billiton

Basic materials

UK

4,986,766

2.78

BASF

Basic materials

Germany

4,324,917

2.41

Telefonica

Telecommunications

Spain

3,799,536

2.12

Allianz

Financials

Germany

3,649,199

2.04

SSE

Utilities

UK

3,461,566

1.93

SCOR

Financials

France

3,293,887

1.84

Hugo Boss

Consumer goods

Germany

3,130,111

1.75

Telia Sonera

Telecommunications

Sweden

3,069,546

1.71

Eutelsat Communications

Consumer services

France

3,010,461

1.68

GlaxoSmithKline

Healthcare

UK

2,982,123

1.67

Modern Times Group ('B' Shares)

Consumer services

Sweden

2,710,807

1.51

British Sky Broadcasting Group

Consumer services

UK

2,641,414

1.47

Direct Line Insurance

Financials

UK

2,465,805

1.38

Prudential

Financials

UK

2,266,670

1.27

BNP Paribas

Financials

France

1,935,558

1.08

Schneider Electric

Industrials

France

1,907,921

1.07

Inmarsat

Telecommunications

UK

1,820,747

1.02

 

North America



 

67,761,35

 

37.85

Pfizer

Healthcare

United States

9,956,881

5.56

Chevron

Oil & gas

United States

8,051,950

4.50

AT & T

Telecommunications

United States

7,591,856

4.24

AbbVie

Healthcare

United States

5,904,147

3.30

Philip Morris International

Consumer goods

United States

5,028,634

2.81

McDonald's

Consumer goods

United States

4,778,946

2.67

Procter & Gamble

Consumer goods

United States

4,273,784

2.39

Kraft Foods Group Inc

Consumer goods

United States

4,098,979

2.29

Bank Of Montreal

Financials

Canada

3,640,018

2.03

Sempra Energy

Utilities

United States

3,319,840

1.85

Kinder Morgan

Oil & gas

United States

3,297,428

1.84

Paychex

Industrials

United States

3,137,858

1.75

Waste Management

Industrials

United States

2,984,157

1.67

Altria Group

Consumer goods

United States

1,696,879

0.95

 

Global emerging markets



 

2,612,732

 

1.46

Shin Corporation



  2,612,732

1.46

 

Developed Asia Pacific ex Japan



 

10,720,616

 

5.99

Woolworths

Consumer services

Australia

3,376,123

1.89

Aurizon Holdings

Industrials

Australia

2,828,893

1.58

United Overseas Bank

Financials

Singapore

2,359,333

1.32

SJM Holdings

Consumer services

Hong Kong

2,156,267

1.20

 

Japan



 

4,442,253

 

2.48

Lawson

Consumer services

Japan

2,370,252

1.32

Nissan Motor

Consumer goods

Japan

2,072,001

1.16

 

Total portfolio



 

179,046,518

 

100.00

 

 

Principal risks and uncertainties

 

Risk and mitigation

 

The company's business model is longstanding and resilient to most of the short term uncertainties that it faces, which the board believes are effectively mitigated by its internal controls and the oversight of the investment manager, as described below. The principal risks and uncertainties are therefore largely longer term and driven by the inherent uncertainties of investing in global equity markets. The board believes that it is able to respond to these longer term risks and uncertainties with effective mitigation so that both the potential impact and the likelihood of these seriously affecting shareholders' interests are materially reduced.

 

The one new short term uncertainty is the potential impact on the company of Scottish independence which the board is closely monitoring. The board will act to protect shareholders' interests as necessary.

 

Risks are regularly monitored at board meetings and the board's planned mitigation measures are described below. The board also carries out a risk workshop as part of its annual strategy meeting. The board has identified the following principal risks to the company:

 

Loss of S1158-9 tax status - Loss of S1158-9 tax status would have serious consequences for the attractiveness of the company's shares. The board considers that, given the regular oversight of this risk carried out by the investment manager and reviewed by them, the likelihood of this risk occurring is minimal.

 

Failure to manage shareholder relations -The board recognises the importance of managing shareholder relations. At each meeting, the board reviews the list of key shareholders. The board also receives feedback from the investment manager based on the outcome of its meetings with shareholders. Shareholders are encouraged to give their views by using the email address noted on the back page of the annual report.

 

Long-term investment underperformance - The board manages the risk of investment underperformance by relying on good manager stock selection skills within a framework of diversification and other investment restrictions and guidelines. The board monitors the implementation and results of the investment process with the investment manager, who attends all board meetings, and reviews data that show statistical measures of the company's risk profile.

 

Foreign exchange risk - A significant proportion of the company's investment portfolio is invested in overseas securities and the balance sheet can be significantly affected by movements in foreign exchange rates. It is not the company's policy to hedge this risk on a continuing basis but the company may, from time to time, match specific overseas investment with foreign currency borrowings. The revenue account is subject to currency fluctuation arising on overseas income.

 

Maintaining market liquidity - In order to retain its place in the FTSE All-Share, the company must satisfy the liquidity test criteria set by the FTSE at each annual review. The liquidity of the company is monitored by the board, the manager and the company's broker with a report being reviewed at every board meeting. The board regularly discusses ways to improve the liquidity position of the company.

 

Directors' Responsibilities

 

Statement of directors' responsibilities

 

The directors are responsible for preparing the annual report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

 

Company law requires the directors to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law the directors have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK Accounting Standards and applicable law). The financial statements are required by law to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the profit or loss of the company for that year. In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:

 

·      select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

·      make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

·      state whether applicable United Kingdom Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and

·      prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to assume that the company will continue in business.

 

The directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that are sufficient to disclose the company's transactions and that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

 

The financial statements are published on the www.securitiestrust.com website.  The maintenance and integrity of the website is, so far as it relates to the company, the responsibility of Martin Currie.

 

Each of the directors confirms that, to the best of their knowledge, the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the applicable set of accounting standards and give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the company. Furthermore each director certifies that the strategic report, the report of the directors and the manager's review includes a fair review of the development and performance of the business and the position of the company, together with a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that the company faces.

 

Going concern status

 

The company's business activities, together with the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and position are set out in the chairman's statement, manager's review, strategic report and the report of the directors.

 

The financial position of the company as at 31 March 2014 is shown on the balance sheet set out below. The cash flows of the company are also set out below. Note 14 sets out the company's risk management policies, including those covering market net risk, liquidity risk and credit risk.

 

The company has a loan facility of £10,000,000 which expires on 26 September 2014, which was fully drawn down at the year-end date. The purpose of the facility is to enable the manager to enhance the return for shareholders by borrowing and investing where the return is expected to exceed the cost of borrowing. The company has adequate financial resources in the form of readily realisable listed securities and as a result the directors assess that the company is able to continue in operational existence without the facility.

 

In accordance with the Financial Reporting Council's guidance on going concern and liquidity risk issued in October 2009, the directors have undertaken a rigorous review of the company's ability to continue as a going concern. The company's assets consist of a diverse portfolio of listed equity shares which, in most circumstances, are realisable within a very short timescale. The directors are mindful of the principal risks and uncertainties disclosed above and have reviewed revenue forecasts and they believe that the company has adequate financial resources to continue its operational existence for the foreseeable future, and at least one year from the date of this annual report. Accordingly, the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing these accounts.

 

Neil Donaldson

Chairman

6 June 2014

 

 

Income Statement

 



Year to 31 March 2014

Year to 31 March 2013


Note

Revenue

£000

Capital

£000

Total

£000

Revenue

£000

Capital

£000

Total

£000

 

Gains on investments

8

-

287

287

-

23,978

23,978

 

Currency (losses)/gains


(52)

(32)

(84)

8

136

144

 

Income 

3

7,214

-

7,214

6,340

-

6,340

 

Investment management fee


 

(332)

 

(617)

 

(949)

 

(271)

 

(503)

 

(774)

 

Other expenses

4

(551)

-

(551)

(525)

-

(525)

 

Net return before finance costs and taxation


 

6,279

 

(362)

 

5,917

 

5,552

 

23,611

 

29,163

 

Finance costs

5

(57)

(106)

(163)

(89)

(164)

(253)

 

Net return on ordinary activities before taxation


 

6,222

 

(468)

 

5,754

 

5,463

 

23,447

 

28,910

 

Taxation on ordinary activities

 

7

 

(723)

 

-

 

(723)

 

(557)

 

-

 

(557)

 

Net return attributable to ordinary redeemable shareholders


 

 

 

5,499

 

 

 

(468)

 

 

 

5,031

 

 

 

4,906

 

 

 

23,447

 

 

28,353

 

Net returns per ordinary redeemable share

 

 

2

 

 

4.72p

 

 

(0.37p)

 

 

4.32p

 

 

4.71p

 

 

22.50p

 

 

27.21p

 

 

The total columns of this statement are the income statement of the company.

The revenue and capital items are presented in accordance with The Association of Investment Companies (AIC) SORP 2009.

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

No operations were acquired or discontinued in the year.

The notes form part of these financial statements.

A statement of total recognised gains and losses is not required as all gains and losses of the company have been reflected in the income statement.

 

 

Balance sheet

 



As at 31 March 2014

As at 31 March 2013


Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

Non-current assets






Investments at fair value through profit or loss






Listed on Exchanges in the UK



37,529


29,447

Listed on Exchanges abroad



141,518


134,237


8


179,047


163,684

Current Assets






Receivables

9

1,085


2,742


Cash at bank


3,401


2,275




4,486


5,017


Creditors






Amounts falling due within one year

10

(10,362)


(12,260)


Net current liabilities



(5,876)


(7,243)

Net assets



173,171


156,441







Capital and reserves






Called up ordinary share capital

11


1,223


1,104

Capital redemption reserve



78


78

Share premium account



30,040


12,862

Special distributable capital reserve



109,299


109,359

Capital reserve

11


29,692


30,160

Revenue reserve



2,839


2,878




173,171


156,441







Net asset value per ordinary redeemable share

2


141.60p


141.76p

 

The company is registered in Scotland, no 283272.

The aggregate amount of called up share capital as at 31 March 2014 is £1,222,991 (2013:£1,103,598).

The financial statements were approved by the board and signed on its behalf by Neil Donaldson, Chairman

 

 

Reconciliation of movement in shareholders' funds

 


Note

Called up ordinary share capital

£000

Capital redemption reserve

£000

Share premium account

£000

Special distributable

reserve

£000

Capital reserve

£000

Revenue reserve

£000

Total

£000

As at 31 March 2013


1,104

78

12,862

109,359

30,160

2,878

156,441

Return attributable to shareholders


 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(468)

 

5,499

 

5,031

Ordinary shares issued during the year

 

11

 

119

 

-

 

17,348

 

(60)

 

-

 

-

 

17,407

Cost of ordinary shares issued during the year




 

(170)




 

(170)

Dividends paid

 

6

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(5,538)

 

(5,538)

Balance as at 31 March 2014


 

1,223

 

78

 

30,040

 

109,299

 

29,692

 

2,839

 

173,171

As at 31 March 2012


 

1,003

 

78

 

-

 

109,411

 

6,713

 

2,857

 

120,062

 

Return attributable to shareholders


 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

23,447

 

4,906

 

28,353

 

Ordinary shares issued during the year

 

11

 

101

 

-

 

12,862

 

(52)

 

-

 

-

 

12,911

Dividends paid

6

-

-

-

-

-

(4,885)

(4,885)

 

Balance at 31 March 2013


1,104

78

12,862

109,359

30,160

2,878

156,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statement of cash flow

 



Year to

31 March 2014

Year to

31 March 2013


Note

£000

£000

£000

£000

Net cash inflow from operating activities

12


4,717


4,788

Servicing of finance






Finance costs



(164)


(251)

Taxation






Taxation suffered



(105)


(113)

Capital expenditure and financial investment






Capital dividend received


548


-


Payments to acquire investments


(73,452)


(61,430)


Receipts from disposal of investments


57,883


52,295


Net cash outflow from investing activities



(15,021)


(9,135)

Dividends paid



(5,538)


(4,885)

Net cash outflow before use of liquid resources and financing



(16,111)


(9,596)

Financing






Cost of ordinary shares issues during the year


(170)


-


Shares issued for cash


17,407


12,911


Net movement in short-term borrowings


-


(1,000)


Net cash inflow from financing



17,237


11,911

Increase in cash for the year



1,126


2,315

Reconciliation of net cash flow to movements in net debt






Increase in cash as above


1,126


2,315


Net movement in short-term borrowings


-


1,000


Change in net debt resulting from cash flows



1,126


3,315

Opening net debt



(7,725)


(11,040)

13


(6,599)


(7,725)

 

 

1.  Accounting policies

 

(a)  The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (UK GAAP) and the Statement of Recommended Practice for Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts' (SORP), issued in January 2009.  

 

The disclosures on going concern set out above form part of the financial statements.

 

Dividends - In accordance with FRS 21: 'Events after the balance sheet date', dividends are included in the financial statements in the period in which they are paid.

 

Functional currency - In accordance with FRS 23: 'The effects of changes in foreign currency', the company is required to nominate a functional currency, being the currency in which the company predominately operates. The board has determined that sterling is the company's functional currency, which is also the currency in which these financial statements are prepared.

 

(b)  Income from equity investments is determined on the date on which the investments are quoted ex-dividend, or where no ex-dividend date is quoted, when the company's right to receive payment is established. Income from fixed interest securities is recognised on an effective yield basis. UK dividends received are accounted for at the amount receivable and are not grossed up for any tax credit. Other income includes any taxes deducted at source. Gains and losses arising from the translation of income denominated in foreign currencies are recognised in the revenue reserve. Scrip dividends are treated as unfranked investment income; any excess in value of shares received over the amount of the cash dividend is recognised in capital reserve. Income from underwriting commission and traded options is recognised as earned.

 

(c)  Interest receivable and payable and management expenses are treated on an accruals basis.

 

(d)  The management fee and interest costs are allocated 65% to capital and 35% to revenue in accordance with the board's expected long-term split of returns in the form of capital gains and income, respectively. All other expenses are wholly allocated to revenue.

 

(e)  Gains and losses on the realisation of investments and changes in the fair value of investments which are readily convertible to cash, without accepting adverse terms, together with exchange adjustments to overseas currencies are taken to capital reserve.

 

(f)   Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded in the operational currency of the company at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of the transaction and re-translated at the rates of exchange ruling on the balance sheet date. Investments are recognised initially as at the trade date of a transaction. Subsequent to this, the disposal of an investment is accounted for once again as at the trade date of a transaction.

 

(g)  Revenue received and interest paid in foreign currencies are translated at the rates of exchange on the transaction date. Any exchange differences between the recognition and settlement both for revenue transactions are taken to the revenue account.

 

(h)  The company's investments are classified as 'financial assets at fair value through profit or loss' and are valued at fair value. For listed investments this is deemed to be bid market prices. Gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are included in the capital return for the year.

 

(i)   All financial assets and liabilities are recognised in the financial statements.

 

(j)   Deferred tax is recorded in accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 19 (Deferred tax). Deferred tax is provided on all timing differences that have originated but not reversed by the balance sheet date. A deferred tax asset is only recognised to the extent that it is regarded as recoverable. Due to the company's status as an investment trust company, and the intention to continue meeting the conditions required to obtain approval in the foreseeable future, the company has not provided for deferred tax on any capital gains and losses arising on the revaluation or disposal of investments.

 

(k)  Transaction costs incurred on the purchase and disposal of investments are recognised as a capital item in the income statement.

 

(l)   The cost of share buybacks include the amount of consideration paid, including directly attributable and deducted from the special distributable reserve until the shares are cancelled.

 

 

2.

 


Year to

31 March 2014

Year to

31 March 2013

Returns and net asset value



Revenue return



Revenue return attributable to ordinary redeemable shareholders

£5,499,000

£4,906,000

Average number of shares in issue during the year

116,391,681

104,193,470

Revenue return per ordinary redeemable share

4.72p

4.71p

Capital return



Capital return attributable to ordinary redeemable shareholders

(£426,000)

£23,447,000

Average number of shares in issue during the year

116,391,681

104,193,470

Capital return per ordinary redeemable share

(0.40p)

22.50p

Total return



Total return per ordinary redeemable share

4.32p

27.21p

Net asset value per share



Net assets attributable to ordinary redeemable shareholders

£173,171,000

£156,441,000

Number of shares in issue at year end

122,299,148

110,359,771

Net asset value per ordinary redeemable share

141.60p

141.76p

 

 

3.

 


Year to

31 March 2014

£000

Year to

31 March 2013

£000

Income



From listed investments:



Franked income - equities

1,808

1,837

Unfranked income - equities

5,401

4,425

Unfranked income - fixed interest and convertibles

-

70


7,209

6,332

Other income



Interest on deposits

5

8


7,214

6,340

Total income comprises:



Dividends from investments

7,209

6,332

Interest

5

8


7,214

6,340

Dividends from investment:



Listed in the UK

1,808

1,837

Listed overseas

5,401

4,495


7,209

6,332

 

Capital dividend received

During the year ended 31 March 2014, the company received a capital dividend of £548,000 from Vodafone Group as shown in note 8.  During the year ended 31 March 2013, there were no receipts of capital dividends.

 

 

4.

 

 

Year to

31 March 2014

£000

Year to

31 March 2013

£000

Other expenses

 

 

Bank Charges

15

6

Directors' fees

116

116

Employers' national insurance contributions

11

11

Irrecoverable VAT

12

25

Legal fees

17

11

Printing and postage

19

25

Registrar's fees

49

41

Savings plan administration and advertising

27

22

Secretarial fee

98

95

Other

171

151

 

535

503

Auditors' remuneration:

 

 

- audit services

16

15

- non audit services*

-

7

 

551

525

 

Details of the contract between the company and Martin Currie for the provision of the investment management and secretarial arrangements are provided in the annual report.

 

*Non audit fees of £22,500 were paid to the company auditor for acting as the reporting accountant and providing transaction support services to the company in regards to the preparation of a circular for the issue of new shares (2013: £nil). This fee is included in the share premium account and is included in the cost of ordinary shares issued during the year in the 'Reconciliation of Movements in Shareholders Funds'.

 

 

5.

 


Year to 31 March 2014

Year to 31 March 2013


Revenue

£000

Capital

£000

Total

£000

Revenue

£000

Capital

£000

Total

£000

Finance costs







Interest payable on bank loans and overdrafts

 

57

 

106

 

163

 

89

 

164

 

253

 

 

6.

 


Year to 31 March 2014

£000

Year to 31 March 2013

£000

Dividends



Year ended 31 March 2012 - fourth interim dividend of 1.25p

-

1,253

Year ended 31 March 2013 - first interim dividend of 1.15p

-

1,173

Year ended 31 March 2013 - second interim dividend of 1.15p

-

1,202

Year ended 31 March 2013 - third interim dividend of 1.15p

-

1,257

Year ended 31 March 2013 - fourth interim dividend of 1.15p

1,447

-

Year ended 31 March 2014 - first interim dividend of 1.15p

1,301

-

Year ended 31 March 2014 - second interim dividend of 1.15p

1,388

-

Year ended 31 March 2014 - third interim dividend of 1.15p

1,402

-


5,538

4,885

 

Set out below are the total dividends payable in respect of the period, which forms the basis on which the requirements of Sections 1158-1159 of the Corporation Tax Act 2010 are considered.

 

 

 

Year to 31 March 2014

£000

Year to 31 March 2013

£000

First interim dividend of 1.15p for the year ended 31 March 2014 (2013: 1.15p)

1,301

1,173

Second interim dividend of 1.15p for the year ended 31 March 2014 (2013: 1.15p)

1,388

1,202

Third interim dividend of 1.15p for the year ended 31 March 2014 (2013: 1.15p)

1,402

1,257

Proposed fourth interim dividend of 1.35p for the year ended 31 March 2014 (2013: 1.30p)

1,651

1,435

 

5,742

5,067

 

During the year the directors received dividends of 4.75p (2013: 4.70p) per share.  Directors' shareholdings are disclosed in the annual report. The revenue reserves as at 31 March 2014 are £2,839,000, of this £1,651,000 will be used to fund the fourth interim dividend. At the AGM held on 16 May 2012, the board received shareholder approval to amend the articles of association of the company to enable dividends to be paid out of capital.

 

 

7.

 

 

Year to

31 March 2014

£000

Year to

31 March 2013

£000

Taxation on ordinary activities

 

 

Foreign tax

723

557

 

In accordance with the SORP issued in 2009, the company has adopted the marginal method for allocating tax relief between income and capital. The revenue account tax charge for the year was lower than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK for an investment trust company 23% (2013: 24%). The differences are explained below.

 

 

Year to

31 March 2014

£000

Y ear to

31 March 2013

£000

Net return on ordinary activities before taxation

5,754

28,910

Corporation tax at standard rate of 23% (2013: 24%)

1,323

6,938

Effects of:

 

 

Gains on investments not taxable

(66)

(5,755)

UK dividends not taxable

(416)

(441)

Overseas dividends not taxable

(1,242)

(1,079)

Overseas tax suffered

723

557

Currency losses/(gains) not taxable

19

(35)

Excess management expenses not utilised

382

372

Current year tax charge

723

557

 

As of 1 April 2013, the UK Corporation tax rate fell from 24% to 23%.

 

At the year end, the company has, for taxation purposes only, accumulated unrelieved management expenses and loan relationship deficits of £10,735,000 (2013: £9,046,000).  A deferred tax asset in respect of this has not been recognised and these expenses will only be utilised if the company has profits chargeable to corporation tax in the future.

 

During the year, as a result of the change in UK corporation tax from 23% to 21% and subsequent provision in the Finance Act 2013 to reduce the main rate of corporation tax to 20% for the financial year 2015, that was substantively enacted on 2 July 2013 and that will be effective from 1 April 2015, the unrecognised deferred tax asset has been remeasured at 20% to £2,147,000.

 

Further reductions to the main rate are proposed to reduce the rate by 1% to 20% by 1 April 2015. These changes had not been substantively enacted at the balance sheet date and, therefore, are not included in these financial statements.

 

 

8.

 


Year to

31 March 2014

£000

Year to

31 March 2013

£000

Investments at fair value through profit or loss



Opening valuation

163,684

130,626

Opening investment holding gains

(31,152)

(11,914)

Opening cost

132,532

118,712

Add:  acquisitions at cost

72,169

62,713

Disposal proceeds

(56,545)

(53,633)

Less: net gain on disposal of investments

10,241

4,740

Disposals at cost

(46,304)

(48,893)

Closing cost

158,397

132,532

Add: investment holding gains

20,650

31,152

Closing valuation

179,047

163,684

 

There were no fixed interest securities as at 31 March 2014 (2013: £nil).

 

An analysis of the investment portfolio by sector, and a list of all the investments and their market value is set out above.

 

 


Year to

31 March 2014

£000

Year to

31 March 2013

£000

Gains on investment



Net gain on disposal of investments

10,241

4,740

Movement in investment holdings unrealised (losses)/gains

(10,502)

19,238

Capital dividends received

548

-


287

23,978

 

Transaction costs  

During the year, expenses were incurred in acquiring or disposing of investments classified as fair value though profit or loss.  These have been expensed through capital and are included within gains on investments in the income statement. The total costs were as follows:

 

 

Year to

31 March 2014

£000

Year to

31 March 2013

£000

Acquisitions

196

151

Disposals

81

96


277

247

 

 

9.

 


As at

31 March 2014

£000

As at

31 March 2013

£000

Receivables



Dividends receivable

819

597

Due from brokers

-

1,338

Tax recoverable

253

148

Prepayments and other debtors

13

659


1,085

2,742

 

 

10.

 


As at

31 March 2014

£000

As at

31 March 2013

£000

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year



Interest accrued

1

2

Due to brokers

-

1,283

Sterling bank revolving loan

10,000

10,000

Other creditors

361

975


10,362

12,260

 

The company has a £10,000,000 revolving loan facility with State Street which expires on 26 September 2014. Under this agreement £10,000,000 was drawn at 31 March 2014 at a rate of 1.32369% with a maturity date of 27 June 2014.

 

The fair value of the sterling loan is not materially different from its carrying value. The interest rate is set at each roll-over date at LIBOR plus a margin.

 

 

11.

 


Number of shares

As at

31 March 2014

£000

Number

of shares

As at

31 March 2013

£000

Called up share capital





Ordinary shares of 1p





Ordinary shares in issue at the beginning of the year

 

110,359,771

 

1,104

 

100,259,771

 

1,003

Ordinary shares issued during the year

11,939,377

119

10,100,000

101

Ordinary shares in issue at the end of the year

 

122,299,148

 

1,223

 

110,359,771

 

1,104

 

There were no shares bought back during the year to 31 March 2014 (2013: nil). During the year, the company issued 11,939,377 shares (2013: 10,100,000) at an average price of 146.28p (2013: 127.38p) per share, the total proceeds were £17,407,000 (2013: £12,911,000). The share premium represents the surplus amount over the nominal value of the issued share capital excluding costs, with any related issuance cost allocated to the special distributable capital reserve.  

 

The analysis of the capital reserve is as follows:

 


Realised capital reserve

£000

Investment holding gains £000

Total capital reserve

£000

As at 31 March 2013

(992)

31,152

30,160

Gains on realisation of investments at fair value

 

10,241

 

-

 

10,241

Realised currency gains during the year

(32)

-

(32)

Movement in fair value gains

-

(10,502)

(10,502)

Capitalised expenses

(723)

-

(723)

Capital distributions

548

-

548

As at 31 March 2014

9,042

20,650

29,692

 

The above split in capital reserve is shown in accordance with provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice 'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts'.

 

 

12.

 


Year to

31 March 2014

£000

Year to

31 March 2013

£000

Reconciliation of net return before finance costs and taxation to net cash inflow from operating activities



Net return before finance costs

5,917

29,163

Decrease/(increase) in accrued income and other debtors

424

(573)

(Decrease)/ increase in other creditors

(614)

733

Net gains on investments

(287)

(23,978)

Taxation withheld from income on investments

(723)

(557)

Net cash inflow from operating activities

4,717

4,788

 

 

13.

 


As at

31 March 2013

£000

Cashflow

£000

As at

31 March 2014

£000

Analysis of net debt




Cash at bank

2,275

1,126

3,401

Bank borrowings - sterling revolving loan

(10,000)

-

(10,000)

Net debt

(7,725)

1,126

(6,599)

 

 

14.  Derivatives and other financial instruments

 

The company's financial instruments comprise securities and other investments, cash balances, loans and receivables and creditors that arise directly from its operations; for example, in respect of sales and purchases awaiting settlement, and debtors for accrued income.  The company also has the ability to enter into derivative transactions in the form of forward foreign currency contracts, futures and options, for the purpose of managing currency and market risks arising from the company's activities.

 

The main risks the company faces from its financial instruments are (i) market price risk (comprising interest rate risk, currency risk and other price risk), (ii) liquidity risk and (iii) credit risk.

 

The board regularly reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks. The manager's policies for managing these risks are summarised below and have been applied throughout the year. The numerical disclosures exclude short-term receivables and creditors.

 

(i)         Market price risk

 

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 - interest rate risk, currency risk and other price risk.

 

Interest rate risk

 

Interest rate movements may affect:

 

·      the level of income receivable on cash deposits; and

·      the level of interest payable on borrowings.

 

The possible effects on fair value and cash flows that could arise as a result of changes in interest rates are taken into account when making investment and borrowing decisions.

 

The board imposes borrowing limits to ensure gearing levels are appropriate to market conditions and reviews these on a regular basis. The company has a revolving loan with State Street Bank and Trust Company which provides flexibility to finance opportunities in the short term. Current guidelines state that the total borrowings will not exceed 15 per cent of the total assets of the company. Details of borrowings at 31 March 2014 are shown in note 10.

 

Interest risk profile

 

The interest rate risk profile of the portfolio of financial assets (comprising cash balances only) at the balance sheet date was as follows:

 

At 31 March 2014

Weighted average period for which rate is fixed

Years

Weighted average interest rate %

Fixed rate

£000

Floating rate

£000

Non-interest bearing

£000







Assets






Sterling - undated

-

0.27

-

3,401

179,047





3,401

179,047

Liabilities






Bank loan - sterling

0.3

1.32

10,000

-

-







At 31 March 2013

Weighted average period for which rate is fixed

Years

Weighted average interest rate

%

Fixed rate

£000

Floating rate

£000

Non-interest bearing

£000







Assets






Sterling - undated       

-

0.30

-

2,275

163,684




-

2,275

163,684

Liabilities






Bank loan - sterling     

0.2

1.66

10,000

-

-

 

The weighted average interest rate is based on the current yield of each asset, weighted by its market value. The weighted average interest rate on the bank loan is based on the interest rate payable on each tranche drawn down, which is set at each tranche drawn down, weighted by its value. The maturity date of the company's loan is shown in note 10.

 

The floating rate assets consist of cash deposits on call earning interest at prevailing market rates.

 

The non-interest bearing assets represent the equity element of the portfolio.

 

Interest rate sensitivity

 

The sensitivity analysis below has been determined based on the exposure to interest rates at the balance sheet date and the stipulated change taking place at the beginning of the financial year and held constant throughout the reporting period in the case of instruments that have floating rates.

 

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the return after taxation to an increase or decrease of 100 basis points in interest rates. This is mainly attributable to the company's exposure to the interest rate on its bank loan.

 

 

 


Increase in rate £000

Year to

31 March 2014

Decrease in rate £000

Increase in rate £000

Year to

31 March 2013 Decrease in rate £000

Effect on revenue return

(35)

35

(35)

35

Effect on capital return

(65)

65

(65)

65

Effect on total return and on net assets

(100)

100

(100)

100

 

In the opinion of the directors, the above sensitivity analysis is not representative of the year as a whole, since exposure changes as investments are made, borrowings are drawn down and repaid throughout the year.

 

Foreign currency risk

 

A significant proportion of the company's investment portfolio is invested in overseas securities and the balance sheet can be significantly affected by movements in foreign exchange rates. It is not the company's policy to hedge this risk on a continuing basis but the company may, from time to time, match specific overseas investment with foreign currency borrowings.

 

The revenue account is subject to currency fluctuation arising on overseas income.

 

Foreign currency risk profile

 

Foreign currency risk exposure by currency of denomination:

 


As at 31 March 2014

As at 31 March 2013


Investments

£000

Net monetary assets

£000

Total currency exposure

£000

Investments

£000

Net monetary assets

£000

Total currency exposure

£000

US dollar

64,122

209

64,322

60,346

163

60,509

Euro currency

39,223

71

39,294

28,089

45

28,134

Swiss franc

10,977

182

11,159

18,063

41

18,104

Canadian dollar

3,640

-

3,640

6,763

5

6,768

Australian dollar

6,205

97

6,302

5,315

64

5,379

Japanese yen

4,442

63

4,505

4,740

42

4,782

Swedish krona

5,781

-

5,781

5,143

(711)

4,432

Hong Kong dollar

2,156

-

2,156

3,559

(1)

3,558

Singapore dollar

2,359

-

2,359

2,218

-

2,218

Thai baht

2,613

-

2,613

-

-

-

Total overseas investments

 

141,518

 

613

 

142,131

 

134,236

 

(352)

 

133,884

Pound Sterling

 

37,529

 

(6,489)

 

31,040

 

29,448

 

(6,891)

 

22,557

Total

179,047

(5,876)

173,171

163,684

(7,243)

156,441

 

The asset allocation between specific markets can vary from time to time based on the manager's opinion of the attractiveness of the individual markets.

 

A number of companies within the investment portfolio declare dividends payable in currencies other than sterling. The revenue account is therefore subject to currency fluctuations arising on such dividends.

 

Foreign currency sensitivity

 

There were minimal foreign currency denominated monetary item at the year end.

 

Other price risk

 

Other price risks (ie changes in market prices other than those arising from interest rate or currency risk) may affect the value of the quoted investments.

 

It is the board's policy to hold an appropriate spread of investments in the portfolio in order to reduce the risk arising from factors specific to a particular sector. The allocation of assets and the stock selection process, as detailed above, both act to reduce market risk. The manager actively monitors market prices throughout the year and reports to the board, which meets regularly in order to review investment strategy.  The investments held by the company are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

 

Other price risk sensitivity

 

The following table illustrates the sensitivity of the return after taxation and the net asset value to an increase or decrease of 15% in the fair value of the company's equities. The calculations are based on the portfolio valuations, as at the respective balance sheet dates, and are not representative of the year as a whole.

 


Year to 31 March 2014

Year to 31 March 2013


Increase in rate £000

Decrease in rate £000

Increase in rate  £000

Decrease in rate  £000

Effect on revenue return

(56)

56

(26)

26

Effect on capital return

26,752

(26,752)

24,505

(24,505)

Effect on total return and on net assets

26,696

(26,696)

24,479

(24,479)

 

(ii)   Liquidity risk

 

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

 

Liquidity risk is not considered to be significant as the company's assets comprise mainly readily realisable securities, which can be sold to meet funding commitments if necessary. Short-term flexibility is achieved through the use of loan and overdraft facilities (note 10).

 

The contractual maturities of the financial liabilities at the year end, based on the earliest date on which payment can be required are as follows:

 


As at 31 March 2014

As at 31 March 2013


Three months or less

£000

More than three months

£000

Total

£000

Three months or less

£000

More than three months

£000

Total

£000

Creditors:  amounts falling due within one year







Interest accrued

1

-

1

2

-

2

Due to brokers

-

-

-

1,283

-

1,283

Sterling bank revolving loan

10,000

-

10,000

10,000

-

10,000

Other creditors

361

-

361

975

-

975


10,362

-

10,362

12,260

-

12,260

 

(iii)       Credit risk

 

This is the risk of failure of the counterparty to a transaction to discharge its obligations under that transaction that could result in the company suffering a loss.

 

The risk is not considered to be significant by the board, and is managed as follows:

 

·      investment transactions are carried out with a large number of brokers, whose credit-standing is reviewed periodically by the manager, and limits are set on the amounts that may be due from any one broker; and

·      cash is held only with reputable banks with high quality external credit ratings.

 

None of the company's financial assets is secured by collateral.

 

The maximum credit risk exposure as at 31 March 2014 was £4,486,000 (2013: £5,017,000).  This was due to receivables and cash as per notes 9 and 13.

 

Fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities

 

All financial assets and liabilities of the company are included in the balance sheet at fair value or the balance sheet amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value.

 

 

15. Capital management policies and procedures

 

The company's capital management objectives are:

 

·      to ensure that the company will be able to continue as a going concern; and

·      to maximise the income and capital return to its equity shareholders through an appropriate balance of equity capital and debt.

 

The capital of the company consists of equity, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings.

 

The board monitors and reviews the broad structure of the company's capital on an ongoing basis. This review includes the nature and planned level of gearing, which takes account of the manager's views on the market and the extent to which revenue in excess of that which is required to be distributed should be retained.

 

 

16. Fair value hierarchy

 

Under FRS 29 'Financial Instruments: Disclosures' an entity is required to classify fair value measurements using a fair value hierarchy that reflects the significance of the inputs used in making the measurements. The fair value hierarchy shall have the following levels:

 

·      Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

·      Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (ie as prices) or indirectly (ie derived from prices); and

·      Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

 

The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the balance sheet are grouped into the fair value hierarchy as follows:

 



As at 31 March 2014


Note

Level 1

£000

Level 2

£000

Level 3

£000

Total

£000

Fair assets at fair value through profit or loss






Quoted equities

(a)

179,047

-

-

179,047

Total


179,047

-

-

179,047

 



As at 31 March 2013


Note

Level 1

£000

Level 2

£000

Level 3

£000

Total

£000

Fair assets at fair value through profit or loss






Quoted equities

(a)

163,684

-

-

163,684

Total


163,684

-

-

163,684

 

a)   Quoted equities

 

The fair value of the company's investments in quoted equities has been determined by reference to their quoted bid prices at the reporting date. Quoted equities included in fair value level 1 are actively traded on recognised stock exchanges.

 

 

17. Post balance sheet events

 

On 6 June 2014 the board declared a fourth interim dividend of 1.35p per share.

 

 

Website

 

Securities Trust of Scotland Trust has its own dedicated website at www.securitiestrust.com.  This offers shareholders, prospective investors and their advisers a wealth of information about the company.   Updated daily, it includes the following:  latest prices, performance data, portfolio information, the manager's latest views, latest monthly update, research, press releases and articles, and annual and half yearly reports.


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