Interim Results
Utilico Emerging Markets Limited
20 November 2007
Date: 20 November 2007
Contact: Charles Jillings
Utilico Emerging Markets Limited
01372 271 486
Alastair Moreton
Arbuthnot Securities Limited
020 7012 2000
Utilico Emerging Markets Limited
Unaudited Statement of Results
for the six months to 30 September 2007
Highlights of results
• Profit for the period £69.7m
• Undiluted net asset value per share increased 28.2% to 187.80p
• Revenue return earnings per share of 3.58p
• Dividend per share of 3.50p
• Average annual compound return of 36.0% since inception
• Increased bank facility from £60.0m to £80.0m in August 2007
Chairman's Statement
Once again the first six months of UEM's year have been testing times for
emerging markets investors so I am pleased to report UEM has performed well. The
NAV per ordinary share rose from 146.45p to 187.80p after paying a final
dividend of 0.70p for the year ended 31 March 2007. This represents a gain of
28.2%. The average annual compound return per ordinary share since inception
stood at 36.0% at the end of the half-year.
In common with previous periods, the portfolio has outperformed the MSCI EMF
(Sterling adjusted) index. The MSCI gained 24.9% for the six months versus 28.2%
for UEM. Over the last twelve months UEM has seen its NAV per ordinary share
gain 56.8% versus the MSCI which gained 42.3%. Over this period UEM
underperformed the MSCI in only two of the last twelve months.
During the six months UEM increased its bank facility with Halifax Bank of
Scotland ('HBOS') to £80.0m. As at 30 September 2007, £64.2m of this facility
was drawn, all in US dollars. As a result gearing has increased to 16.9% from
15.6%.
The managers continue to utilise contracts for difference and have increased the
gross position to £25.3m (£14.4m at 31 March 2007) against which £14.4m was held
as collateral.
The managers have continued to increase the absolute level of market protection
by investing in S&P 500 index put options and put option spreads. As at 30
September 2007 there were no short put options as these had expired the week
before and total market protection at that date was £200.0m. Since period end
the put option spreads have been completed and the current net equity protection
is £105.0m equivalent to 25.0% of the gross assets (31 March 2007 - £78.4m or
25.0% of the gross assets).
The revenue and expenses were broadly in line with the manager's expectations.
The revenue return per share was negatively impacted by the increased costs
associated with the increased borrowings taken on by UEM. Offsetting this was
the change in accounting policy to capitalise 70.0% of finance costs and
management fees. The resultant revenue earnings per share was 3.58p per ordinary
share, up 49.8% on the same period last year. The board has declared an interim
dividend of 3.50p.
The managers continue to keep a firm control on costs. The annualised management
and administration costs were 0.8% for the six months, marginally lower than
previous periods.
The market price of the ordinary shares increased by 26.4% to 173.50p as at 30
September 2007. This represents a small premium to the diluted NAV per ordinary
share of 173.43p. We continue to see strong shareholder support for UEM.
On 6 November 2007 we announced our intention to raise up to £100.0m by way of a
placing and open offer of C shares and subscription shares. Further we are
seeking a listing on the Channel Islands Stock Exchange which will enable UK PEP
and ISA holders to invest in the Company for the first time. We expect to post a
circular to shareholders and warrantholders, seeking the approval of the C share
issue, towards the end of November.
Looking forward the conflicting forces on the market and contrasting outlooks
coupled with the range of issues facing the markets are expected to result in
continued volatility.
We continue to believe the world's economic activity will retreat from the high
growth levels seen over the last twelve months, but we still anticipate sound
economic progress from emerging markets. Furthermore, we believe the long term
growth prospects for infrastructure, utility and related companies within
emerging markets are strong and UEM's portfolio remains well positioned to
benefit from this progress.
Alexander Zagoreos
November 2007
SUMMARY OF UNAUDITED RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2007
30 September 31 March
2007 2007 Change
Undiluted net asset value per ordinary share 187.80p 146.45p 28.2%
Diluted net asset value per ordinary share 173.43p 138.80p 24.9%
Ordinary share price 173.50p 137.25p 26.4%
Discount/(Premium) - (based on diluted NAV) -% (1.1)%
Equity holders' funds (£m) 312.4 241.6 29.3%
Gross assets (£m)* 379.7 288.6 31.6%
Bank debt (£m) 64.2 45.0 42.7%
Gearing on gross assets 16.9% 15.6%
6 months to 6 months to
30 September 30 September
2007 2006
Earnings per share (basic)
- Capital 38.55p 4.49p
- Revenue 3.58p 2.39p
- Total 42.13p 6.88p
Dividend per share 3.50p 2.00p
* Gross assets less current liabilities excluding loans
UNAUDITED INCOME STATEMENT
6 months to 6 months to
30 September 2007 30 September 2006
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
return return return return return return
£'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s
Gains and losses on investments - 70,025 70,025 - 6,372 6,372
Gains and losses on derivative instruments - 5,721 5,721 - 8 8
Exchange gains and losses - 1,836 1,836 - 1,052 1,052
Investment and other income 7,859 - 7,859 4,994 - 4,994
Total income 7,859 77,582 85,441 4,994 7,432 12,426
Management and administration fees (351) (10,360) (10,711) (541) 85 (456)
Other expenses (437) (26) (463) (315) (97) (412)
Profit before finance costs and taxation 7,071 67,196 74,267 4,138 7,420 11,558
Finance costs (776) (1,811) (2,587) (399) - (399)
Profit before taxation 6,295 65,385 71,680 3,739 7,420 11,159
Taxation (375) (1,621) (1,996) (303) (945) (1,248)
Profit for the period 5,920 63,764 69,684 3,436 6,475 9,911
Earnings per share (basic) - pence 3.58 38.55 42.13 2.39 4.49 6.88
Earnings per share (diluted) - pence 3.35 36.04 39.39 2.33 4.40 6.73
The total column of this statement represents the Company's Income Statement,
prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The supplementary revenue and capital return columns are both prepared under
guidance published by the Association of Investment Companies in the UK. All
items in the above statement derive from continuing operations.
All income is attributable to the equity holders of the Company.
UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
6 months to 30 September 2007
Ordinary Share Non- Retained earnings
share premium Warrant distributable Capital Revenue
capital account reserve reserve reserves reserve Total
£'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s
Balance at 31 March 2007 16,498 147,194 9,050 101 67,408 1,365 241,616
Profit for the period - - - - 63,764 5,920 69,684
Ordinary dividend paid - - - - - (1,155) (1,155)
Issue of ordinary share capital and
warrants 135 2,074 - - - - 2,209
Balance at 30 September 2007 16,633 149,268 9,050 101 131,172 6,130 312,354
6 months to 30 September 2006
Ordinary Share Non- Retained earnings
share premium Warrant distributable Capital Revenue
capital account Reserve reserve reserves reserve Total
£'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s
Balance at 31 March 2006 7,507 62,284 4,050 1 14,634 1,215 89,691
Profit for the period - - - - 6,475 3,436 9,911
Ordinary dividend paid - - - - - (1,126) (1,126)
Issue of ordinary share capital and
warrants 8,955 85,984 5,100 - - - 100,039
Cost of issuing ordinary share capital - (1,398) - - - - (1,398)
Balance at 30 September 2006 16,462 146,870 9,150 1 21,109 3,525 197,117
Year to 31 March 2007
Ordinary Share Non- Retained earnings
share premium Warrant distributable Capital Revenue
capital account reserve reserve reserves reserve Total
£'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s £'000s
Balance at 31 March 2006 7,507 62,284 4,050 1 14,634 1,215 89,691
Profit for the period - - - - 52,774 4,568 57,342
Ordinary dividend paid - - - - - (4,418) (4,418)
Issue of ordinary share capital and
warrants 8,991 86,308 5,000 100 - - 100,399
Cost of issuing ordinary share capital - (1,398) - - - - (1,398)
Balance at 31 March 2007 16,498 147,194 9,050 101 67,408 1,365 241,616
UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEET
30 September 2007 30 September 2006 31 March 2007
£'000s £'000s £'000s
Non current assets
Investments 358,598 218,075 273,708
Current assets
Other receivables 1,934 965 2,229
Derivative financial instruments 12,787 2,035 7,605
Cash and cash equivalents 18,979 5,365 19,904
33,700 8,365 29,738
Current liabilities
Bank loans (19,751) (25,338) (20,000)
Derivative financial instruments (709) (426) (482)
Other payables (11,859) (2,614) (14,335)
(32,319) (28,378) (34,817)
Net current assets/(liabilities) 1,381 (20,013) (5,079)
Total assets less current liabilities 359,979 198,062 268,629
Non-current liabilities
Bank loans (44,440) - (25,014)
Deferred tax (3,185) (945) (1,999)
Net assets 312,354 197,117 241,616
Equity attributable to equity holders
Ordinary share capital 16,633 16,462 16,498
Share premium account 149,268 146,870 147,194
Warrant reserve 9,050 9,150 9,050
Non-distributable reserve 101 1 101
Capital reserves 131,172 21,109 67,408
Revenue reserve 6,130 3,525 1,365
Total attributable to equity holders 312,354 197,117 241,616
Net asset value per ordinary share
Basic - pence 187.80 119.74 146.45
Diluted - pence 173.43 116.45 138.80
UNAUDITED CASH FLOW STATEMENT
6 months to 6 months to Year to
30 September 2007 30 September 2006 31 March 2007
£'000s £'000s £'000s
Cash flows from operating activities (20,784) (102,224) (105,201)
Cash flows from investing activities - - -
Cash flows before financing activities (20,784) (102,224) (105,201)
Financing activities
Equity dividends paid (1,155) (1,126) (4,418)
Proceeds from borrowings 20,654 8,930 29,839
Proceeds from warrants exercised 1 1 361
Proceeds from issue of ordinary
share capital - 98,614 98,608
Cash flows from financing activities 19,500 106,419 124,390
Net increase in cash and cash
equivalents (1,284) 4,195 19,189
Cash and cash equivalents at the
beginning of the period 19,904 1,238 1,238
Effect of movement in foreign
exchange 359 (68) (523)
Cash and cash equivalents at the
end of the period 18,979 5,365 19,904
NOTES
The Directors have declared an interim dividend in respect of the period ended
30 September 2007 of 3.50p per ordinary share payable on 14 December 2007 to
shareholders on the register at close of business on
30 November 2007. The total cost of the dividend which has not been accrued in
the results for the period ended
30 September 2007, is £5,822,000 based on 166,344,339 shares in issue at the
date of this report.
The Report & Accounts will be posted to shareholders towards the end of November
2007. Copies may be obtained during normal business hours from Exchange House,
Primrose Street, London EC2A 2NY.
By order of the Board
F&C Management Limited, Secretary
19 November 2007
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange