TIDMSLET
RNS Number : 0089G
Standard Life Equity Income Tst PLC
24 May 2017
STANDARD LIFE EQUITY INCOME TRUST PLC
Investment Objective
The objective of Standard Life Equity Income Trust plc is to
provide shareholders with an above average income from their equity
investment while also providing real growth in capital and
income.
Investment Policy
The Directors intend to achieve the investment objective by
investing in a diversified portfolio consisting mainly of quoted UK
equities. The portfolio will normally comprise between 50 and 70
individual equity holdings. In order to reduce risk in the Company
without compromising flexibility:
-- no holding within the portfolio will exceed 10% of net assets; and
-- the top ten holdings within the portfolio will not in aggregate exceed 50% of net assets
The Company may also invest in convertible preference shares,
convertible loan stocks, gilts and corporate bonds.
The Directors have delegated responsibility to the Manger for
the operation of the gearing level within the parameters of between
5% net cash and 15% net gearing.
The Manager's investment process combines asset allocation,
stock selection, portfolio construction, risk management and
dealing. The investment process is research-intensive and is driven
by a distinctive focus on change which recognises that different
factors drive individual stocks and markets at different times in
the cycle. This flexible but disciplined investment process ensures
that the Manager has the opportunity to perform well in different
market conditions.
HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 31 MARCH
2017
For further information, please contact:
Sara Reed
Press Manager, Standard Life Investments Tel: 0131 245 2750
Evan Bruce-Gardyne
Head of Investment Companies
Standard Life Investments Tel: 0131 245 0571
Financial Highlights
Six months ended 31
March 2017
Net asset value total return 7.2%
Benchmark total return 8.1%
Share price total return 2.5%
The Net Asset Value total return is calculated with reference to
the diluted NAV per share at 30 September 2016. Total return
assumes that the dividends paid to shareholders are re-invested in
ordinary shares at the time the ordinary shares are quoted
ex-dividend.
The benchmark is the FTSE All-Share index.
Earnings and Dividends 31 March 2017 31 March Change
- for six months ended 2016
Revenue return per
ordinary share
Basic 8.08p 7.92p 2.0%
Diluted 8.08p 7.68p 5.2%
Interim dividends:
First quarterly dividend
paid 3.80p 3.40p 11.8%
Second quarterly dividend
payable 3.80p 3.40p 11.8%
Capital 31 March 2017 30 September Change
2016
Net asset value per
ordinary share
Basic 452.0p 441.1p 2.5%
Diluted 452.0p 431.5p 4.8%
Ordinary share price 413.5p 412.4p 0.3%
Subscription share n/a 79.5p n/a
price
Discount of ordinary
share price to net
asset value
Basic -8.5% -6.5%
Diluted -8.5% -4.4%
Total assets GBP249.9m GBP226.3m 10.4%
Shareholders' funds GBP222.2m GBP199.7m 11.3%
Ordinary shares in
issue 49,162,782 45,282,829 8.6%
Ten Largest Holdings % %
at 31 March 2017
Aviva 4.0 Sage 2.5
Rio Tinto 3.2 Close Brothers 2.4
Imperial Brands 3.0 DS Smith 2.4
Prudential 2.7 Tyman 2.4
Micro Focus International 2.6 Legal & General 2.3
STRATEGIC REPORT
Chairman's Statement
Performance
In the six months to 31 March 2017 our net asset value total
return was 7.2% and the share price total return was 2.5%. This
compares with the benchmark total return of 8.1%. Despite the
underperformance we have experienced since June 2016, the
longer-term numbers remain strong.
Our Subscription shares expired on 31 December 2016, as detailed
below, and as a result 3,895,838 new shares were issued at a price
of 320p. This conversion means that from now on we will no longer
report diluted and non-diluted figures for our net asset value and
earnings per share. In this report, we compare our current figures
with the diluted figures from six months or one year ago, as
appropriate.
3 years 5 years
6 months 1 year p.a. p.a.
Net asset value total
return (%) 7.2 7.8 6.2 12.4
Share price total return
(%) 2.5 0.4 3.2 12.0
Benchmark total return
(%) 8.1 22.0 7.7 9.7
Peer group ranking 13/22 21/22 17/22 11/22
Sources: Thomson Reuters DataStream and JP Morgan Cazenove 31
March 2017
Earnings Growth
The revenue return over the six months is encouraging, with
earnings per share of 8.08p, up 5.2% on the 7.68p earned in the six
months to 31 March 2016, and our estimates for the second half of
the year indicate a further rise on the figure achieved last
year.
The Manager's Report provides further information on the UK
economy and equity market, as well as a review of the portfolio of
investments and market activity during the period.
Dividends
The Board has declared a second quarterly dividend of 3.80p per
share, which together with the first quarterly dividend brings
total dividends for the six months to 31 March 2017 to 7.60p per
share, an increase of 11.8% on the 6.80p paid for the six months to
31 March 2016. This second quarterly dividend of 3.80p will be paid
on 23 June 2017 to shareholders on the register on 2 June 2017,
with an associated ex-dividend date of 1 June 2017. The Board's
intention is that the third quarterly dividend, payable in October,
will be at least 4.00p per share and that the final dividend, in
January 2018, will be at least 5.20p per share. Cumulatively, this
would be make a minimum total dividend of 16.80p for 2017, a rise
of 9.1% on the previous year's total, which is expected to be paid
out of current year earnings.
Gearing
The Company has a GBP30m bank facility with Scotiabank (Ireland)
Limited. This facility was in use throughout the period and GBP27m
was drawn at the end of March 2017. The average cost of borrowing
during the six months equated to an annualised cost of 1.12%. At 31
March 2017, borrowings amounted to 11.4% of net assets (31 March
2016:11.9%).
Subscription Shares
As noted above, the Subscription shares expired on 31 December
2016. Holders had the opportunity to purchase one Ordinary share
for each Subscription share held at a price of 320 pence per share.
At that date, 3,895,938 Subscription shares remained unconverted.
While 1,754,114 applications to convert were received, 2,141,824
Subscription shares lapsed and were converted into Ordinary shares.
70.588 pence per share was paid to the holders of the lapsed
shares. The transaction resulted in an increase in the Net Assets
of the Company of almost GBP12.5m and the number of shares in issue
increased by 8.6%.
Governance and Board
Keith Percy stood down from the Board at the AGM in December
2016 after 25 years. Caroline Hitch was appointed to the Board on 1
January 2017. Caroline has over 30 years of experience in the
investment management business, most recently with HSBC, where she
is a member of the senior investment team. We look forward to
working with her. She will stand for election at the AGM in January
2018.
Merger between Standard Life and Aberdeen Asset Management
On 6 March 2017, the Boards of Standard Life plc and Aberdeen
Asset Management plc announced their intention to merge the
companies. This decision is subject to approval by the shareholders
of the two companies, which is due to take place on 19 June 2017,
and to complete in September 2017. Your Board is paying close
attention to this event and any possible implications for the
management of your Company. We will be in a position to report in
more detail in the Annual Report.
Outlook
The political background has been generally unsettled over the
period under review, with the election of President Trump in the
United States being followed by a less than smooth bedding-in
period for his new Administration, a succession of international
mini-crises in the Middle and Far East and, most recently, the
surprise calling of a General Election in the UK. By contrast,
economic news has on the whole been favourable, with growth picking
up in most areas and interest rates remaining low.
Our portfolio continued to lag the market in the last quarter of
2016. However, it has performed much better in the first four
months of 2017 and the revenue account in particular is producing
strong growth. This gives the Board confidence that our manager's
investment approach is sound, and well suited to delivering your
Company's long-term strategic objective.
Richard Burns
Chairman
23 May 2017
Principal Risks and Uncertainties
The Board has an ongoing process for identifying, evaluating and
managing the principal risks and uncertainties of the Company. The
process is regularly reviewed by the Board.
Most of the Company's principal uncertainties and risks are
market related and no different from those of other investment
trusts that invest primarily in the UK listed market. Risks may
vary in significance from time to time. The Board considers the
following to be the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the
Company:
Investment Performance
The Board recognises that market risk is significant in
achieving performance and your Board reviews strategy and
investment guidelines to ensure that these are appropriate. Regular
reports are received from the Manager on stock selection, asset
allocation, gearing and costs of running the Company. The
performance is reviewed in detail and discussed with the Manager at
each Board meeting.
The Board regularly reviews the impact of geopolitical issues on
market risk. The Board is mindful of the continuing uncertainty
following the UK's referendum decision to leave the EU and, along
with the Manager, is closely monitoring the situation.
Operational Risk
In common with most investment trusts, the Board delegates the
operation of the business to third parties, the principal delegate
being the Manager. As part of the assessment of key third party
service providers, the internal control reports of the service
providers are reviewed on a regular basis.
Discount/Premium to NAV
A significant share price discount or premium to net asset value
per share could lead to high levels of uncertainty and could
potentially reduce shareholder confidence. The Board keeps the
level of the Company's discount/premium under continual review.
Regulatory Risk
The Company operates in an environment with significant
regulation, including the UKLA Listing Rules, the Companies Act
2006, the Corporation Tax Act 2010, the Alternative Investment Fund
Managers Directive (AIFMD) and the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR). A
breach of any of these regulations could lead to a number of
detrimental outcomes and reputational damage.
MANAGERS REVIEW
Market review
The UK market, as represented by the FTSE All-Share Index,
generated a total return of 8.1% in the six months to the end of
March 2017, helped by improving confidence in the domestic and
overseas economic outlook.
Sentiment turned particularly sharply in the US where Donald
Trump's surprise US election victory sparked a global 'reflation
trade', buoyed by his campaign pledges to cut taxes, increase
infrastructure spending and roll back regulation. Following
President Trump's election the Federal Reserve started to normalise
monetary policy by raising interest rates in December and March.
Rising inflation expectations and higher bond yields consequently
drove a rotation out of 'bond proxies' and into cyclicals and
financials. This lost impetus after Mr. Trump's administration
failed to pass key polices, leading to doubts on whether tax and
spending measures could be enacted in a timely manner. Oscillating
confidence in global reflation was reflected in sharp swings in
commodity prices during the period. Furthermore, the oil price
climbed on OPEC's decision to cap production in December, before
falling in early 2017 on evidence of rising US output.
The UK economy held up far better than anticipated after the EU
referendum, prompting the Bank of England to revise up its 2017
growth outlook. Domestically-focused stocks that had slumped in the
wake of the referendum continued their steady recovery as investors
became more confident in their earnings and dividend prospects.
Sentiment towards UK assets was volatile during this period, which
was reflected in the Sterling exchange rate, as investors
scrutinised political announcements. These culminated in the
triggering of Article 50 in March 2017, thereby officially starting
two-year negotiations for the UK to leave the EU.
Performance
For the six months ending 31 March 2017, the portfolio's gross
total return, before administration and other costs, was 7.6%,
slightly underperforming the FTSE All-Share Index total return of
8.1%.
The six month period can be split into two distinct phases.
During the three months to December 2016, we struggled to keep pace
with the wider market as the 'reflation trade' favoured large cap
cyclical sectors such as Mining, Oil & Gas and Banks, where we
had limited exposure. However, performance picked up sharply in the
three months to March 2017 as sentiment towards small and mid-cap
companies improved.
At the stock level, life assurance company Aviva was the largest
contributor to performance thanks to better than expected results,
which supported our view that the restructuring programme will
result in a more strongly capitalised and faster growing business.
The holding in mining company Rio Tinto benefited performance as
investors recognised the improved outlook for cash flows and
dividends resulting from the higher iron ore price.
Performance also benefited from strong performance in many of
the portfolio's small and mid-cap holdings. Asset management
company River & Mercantile was a major contributor as the
market responded positively to encouraging results that highlighted
persistently strong fund flows, particularly in the P-Solve
division, which helps pension funds to manage their liabilities.
Staffing business Staffline soared after it announced strong
full-year results, providing further evidence of the company's
growth potential. The share price of heat-treatment business
Bodycote rose sharply on encouraging results that pointed to an
inflection point in demand, with organic growth turning positive
for the first time in two years.
The biggest detractor to performance was accounting software
business Sage Group whose valuation came under pressure as rising
bond yields caused a sector rotation away from high-growth software
stocks. Performance was also hit by the holding in BT whose shares
fell sharply due to the announcement of improper accounting in
their Italian division and a weakening in the outlook for UK public
sector and international corporate markets. The holding in
International Personal Finance hit performance after the release of
proposals by the Polish Ministry of Justice that would limit
non-interest charges on consumer loans. The holding in support
services business Babcock International detracted from performance
as the stock fell in response to an announcement by the UK Nuclear
Decommissioning Authority of the early termination of the Magnox
decommissioning contract. Performance relative to the benchmark was
impacted by our not holding oil major Royal Dutch Shell, which had
rallied strongly after OPEC member states agreed to cut production,
resulting in improved confidence in the sustainability of the
dividend.
Activity
We started a new holding in banking group HSBC. We believe that
revenues have reached an inflection point as management turn their
focus to growing the loan book after many years of retrenchment, at
the same time as it benefits from external tailwinds such as an
improving global economy and rising rates. HSBC's capital position
has now been rebuilt, as reflected in the PRA's recent decision to
authorise a share buyback. The combination of improved top line,
reduced costs and more effective capital deployment should result
in a rising Return on Equity.
We bought a new holding in mining business Glencore whose
prospects have transformed since the nadir of the commodity cycle
in 2015. Glencore has reinstated its dividend, having reassured the
market about the quality of its assets, the performance of its
marketing division and its balance sheet risk. The industry
backdrop is now far more benign, as all the big mining companies
have now committed themselves to a more cautious approach to capex,
which should be supportive of commodity prices.
We also started a new holding in Ashmore, a specialist emerging
markets asset management company, whose fund flows are set to
benefit from improved sentiment towards the asset class. Ashmore's
dividend prospects look particularly solid given its strong cash
flow and balance sheet.
Three significant sales helped fund these purchases. We reduced
the holding in BT. Although the Italian accounting scandal can be
seen as an isolated problem, the reduction in earnings guidance for
the corporate business is of greater concern as it leaves much less
margin for error before BT's dividend policy comes into question.
Whereas previously BT had plenty of scope to increase capex or
pension contributions, it is now tighter on cash flow, limiting its
ability to increase the dividend payout ratio.
We also sold the Company's holding in IT and analytics group
RELX (formerly Reed Elsevier), whose strong visibility and low
cyclicality are now better reflected in its valuation after a
period of very strong share price performance.
Another notable sale was that of Jardine Lloyd Thompson whose
impressive track record of delivering top-line growth has been let
down by patchy operational execution, especially in its Employee
Benefits division.
Outlook
The Company's objective is to provide shareholders with an above
average income from their equity investment while also providing
real growth in capital and income. Our index-agnostic approach
allows us to focus on identifying companies with the potential for
superior dividend and capital growth over the long term. We believe
that this approach will, over time, prove significantly more
rewarding to shareholders than a more traditional approach
concentrating on slow-growth mega-cap stocks whose dividend growth
potential is more limited.
It is pleasing to be able to report a 5.2% increase in earnings
per share, reflecting the encouraging dividend announcements of our
underlying holdings. We remain confident that superior dividend
growth will be one of the key benefits of our differentiated
approach to UK equity income.
While we have good visibility over the cashflow generation and
the dividend-paying ability of our holdings, we cannot always have
the same level of visibility in the political and economic drivers
that affect share prices. This was particularly apparent in 2016
when share price volatility increased due to political events such
as the EU referendum and the US election.
As stock pickers, we welcome the recent shift in the market's
focus from macro to micro-level analysis, resulting in more benign
market conditions and a recovery in many of our small and mid-cap
holdings. Having underperformed after the EU referendum on fears of
an economic recession, we see the potential for a significant
recovery in the valuation of UK domestic stocks from very depressed
levels. Conversely, there appears to be more limited potential for
many overseas-earning large-cap stocks to outperform given their
high valuations.
Politics will remain an important driver of the UK equity market
in the months ahead, notably various European and National
elections and the ongoing negotiations of the UK's EU exit. It is
encouraging that growth in both the UK economy and corporate
earnings are remaining far more resilient than had been anticipated
immediately after the EU referendum. While we are aware that
political events can cause short-term swings in valuations, we
remain convinced that a successful approach to income investing
will involve a focus on stock-level fundamentals, most importantly
on the cash flows generated by companies that are used to pay
dividends. On this basis we are encouraged by the strong cashflow
and dividend announcements of our underlying holdings and we remain
confident in the total return prospects for the portfolio.
Thomas Moore
Standard Life Investments
23 May 2017
Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income
Six months ended Six months ended
31 March 2017 31 March 2016
(unaudited) (unaudited)
-------- ------------ -------- -------- ------------ --------
Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
------------------------- ------ -------- ------------ -------- -------- ------------ --------
Net gains/(losses)
on investments
at fair value - 11,067 11,067 - (2,061) (2,061)
Income 2 4,215 - 4,215 3,998 - 3,998
Investment management
fee (230) (537) (767) (224) (524) (748)
Administrative
expenses (119) - (119) (222) - (222)
Currency (losses)/gains - (1) (1) - 7 7
------------------------- ------ -------- ------------ -------- -------- ------------ --------
Net return before
finance costs
and taxation 3,866 10,529 14,395 3,552 (2,578) 974
Finance costs (45) (105) (150) (59) (137) (196)
------------------------- ------
Return on ordinary
activities before
taxation 3,821 10,424 14,245 3,493 (2,715) 778
Taxation 3 (31) - (31) (24) - (24)
Return on ordinary
activities after
taxation 3,790 10,424 14,214 3,469 (2,715) 754
------------------------- ------ -------- ------------ -------- -------- ------------ --------
Return per ordinary
share 4
Basic 8.08p 22.23p 30.31p 7.92p (6.20p) 1.72p
------------------------- ------ -------- ------------ -------- -------- ------------ --------
Diluted 8.08p 22.23p 30.31p 7.68p (6.01p) 1.67p
------------------------- ------ -------- ------------ -------- -------- ------------ --------
The total column of this statement represents the profit and
loss account of the Company.
A Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses has not been
prepared as all gains and losses are recognised in the Condensed
Statement of Comprehensive Income.
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from
continuing operations.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial
statements.
Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity
Six months ended 31 March
2017 (unaudited)
Share Capital
Share premium redemption Capital Revenue
capital account reserve reserve reserve Total
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------- ----- -------- -------- ----------- -------- -------- --------
Balance at 30
September 2016 11,321 40,550 12,616 127,096 8,147 199,730
Issue of ordinary
shares on conversion
of Subscription
shares 974 11,493 - - - 12,467
Purchase of own
shares for treasury (4) - 4 (64) - (64)
Return on ordinary
activities after
taxation - - - 10,424 3,790 14,214
Dividends paid 5 - - - - (4,132) (4,132)
Balance at 31
March 2017 12,291 52,043 12,620 137,456 7,805 222,215
----------------------- ----- -------- -------- ----------- -------- -------- --------
Six months ended 31 March
2016 (unaudited)
Share Capital
Share premium redemption Capital Revenue
capital account reserve reserve reserve Total
Note GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------- ----- -------- -------- ----------- -------- -------- --------
Balance at 30
September 2015 10,745 32,473 12,616 132,933 6,881 195,648
Issue of ordinary
shares on conversion
of Subscription
shares 182 2,148 - - - 2,330
Issue of ordinary
shares from treasury 251 4,238 - - - 4,489
Return on ordinary
activities after
taxation - - - (2,715) 3,469 754
Dividends paid 5 - - - - (3,540) (3,540)
Balance at 31
March 2016 11,178 38,859 12,616 130,218 6,810 199,681
----------------------- ----- -------- -------- ----------- -------- -------- --------
Condensed Statement of Financial Position
As at As at
31 March 30 September
2017 2016
(unaudited) (audited)
Notes GBP'000 GBP'000
----------------------------------- ------ ------------ -------------
Fixed assets
Investments at fair value through
profit or loss 246,705 214,024
----------------------------------- ------ ------------ -------------
Current assets
Debtors 1,514 1,259
AAA money market funds 1,280 10,754
Cash and short term deposits 404 287
----------------------------------- ------ ------------ -------------
3,198 12,300
----------------------------------- ------ ------------ -------------
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year
Bank loan (27,000) (26,000)
Other creditors (688) (594)
----------------------------------- ------ ------------ -------------
(27,688) (26,594)
Net current liabilities (24,490) (14,294)
----------------------------------- ------ ------------ -------------
Net assets 222,215 199,730
----------------------------------- ------ ------------ -------------
Capital and reserves
Called-up share capital 6 12,291 11,321
Share premium account 52,043 40,550
Capital redemption reserve 12,620 12,616
Capital reserve 7 137,456 127,096
Revenue reserve 7,805 8,147
Equity shareholders' funds 222,215 199,730
----------------------------------- ------ ------------ -------------
Net asset value per ordinary
share 8
Basic 452.00p 441.07p
----------------------------------- ------ ------------ -------------
Diluted 452.00p 431.48p
----------------------------------- ------ ------------ -------------
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors
and authorised for issue on 23 May 2017 and were signed on its
behalf by:
Richard Burns
Chairman
Notes to the Financial Statements
1. Accounting policies
(a) Basis of accounting
The condensed financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with Financial Reporting
Standard 104 (Interim Financial Reporting) and
with the Statement of Recommended Practice for
'Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies
and Venture Capital Trusts'. They have also been
prepared on a Going Concern basis and on the
assumption that approval as an investment trust
will continue to be granted.
The interim financial statements and the net
asset value per share figures have been prepared
in accordance with FRS 102 using the same accounting
policies as the preceding annual accounts.
(b) Dividends payable
Dividends are recognised in the period in which
they are paid.
(c) Going Concern
The statement of Going Concern was set out in
the Directors' Report of the Company's Annual
Report and Financial Statements to 30 September
2016. As at 31 March 2017, there have been no
significant changes to this. The Directors continue
to have a reasonable expectation that the Company
has adequate resources to continue in operational
existence for at least the next 12 months, taking
into account the diversified portfolio of readily
realisable securities which can be used to meet
short-term funding commitments, and the ability
of the Company to meet all of its liabilities
and ongoing expenses. Accordingly, it is reasonable
for the Financial Statements to continue to be
prepared on a Going Concern basis.
Six months Six months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2017 2016
2. Income GBP'000 GBP'000
Income from investments
UK investment income
Ordinary dividends 3,401 2,907
Special dividends 32 199
----------------------------- ------------------------------
3,433 3,106
Overseas and Property Income Distribution
investment income
Ordinary dividends 537 601
Special dividends 168 259
----------------------------- ------------------------------
705 860
----------------------------- ------------------------------
4,138 3,966
----------------------------- ------------------------------
Other income
AAA money market interest 23 28
Stock dividends 49 -
Underwriting commission 5 4
77 32
----------------------------- ------------------------------
4,215 3,998
----------------------------- ------------------------------
3. Taxation on ordinary activities
The taxation charge for the period, and the comparative
period, represents withholding tax suffered on
overseas dividend income.
Six months Six months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2017 2016
4. Return per ordinary share p p
Basic
Revenue return 8.08 7.92
Capital return 22.23 (6.20)
Total 30.31 1.72
----------- -----------
The figures above are based
on the following figures:
GBP'000 GBP'000
Revenue return 3,790 3,469
Capital return 10,424 (2,715)
Total 14,214 754
----------- -----------
Weighted average number of
ordinary shares* 46,882,217 43,813,625
----------- -----------
Diluted
Revenue return 8.08 7.68
Capital return 22.23 (6.01)
Total 30.31 1.67
----------- -----------
Number of dilutive shares - 1,327,204
----------- -----------
Weighted average Diluted shares
in issue 46,882,217 45,140,829
----------- -----------
* calculated excluding shares held in treasury. At 31 March 2017
there were 15,985 shares in treasury (2016: nil).
The calculation of the diluted total, revenue and capital
returns per Ordinary share is carried out in accordance with IAS
33, "Earnings per Share". For the purposes of calculating diluted
total, revenue and capital returns per Ordinary share, the number
of Ordinary shares is the weighted average used in the basic
calculation plus the number of Ordinary shares deemed to be issued
for no consideration on exercise of all Subscription shares by
reference to the average share price of the Ordinary shares during
the period. There were no Subscription shares in issue at 31 March
2017.
Six months Six months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2017 2016
5. Dividends GBP'000 GBP'000
Ordinary dividends on equity shares
deducted from reserves:
Fourth quarterly dividend for 2016
of 5.00p per share (2015 - 4.70p) 2,264 2,020
First quarterly dividend for 2017
of 3.80p (2016 - 3.40p) 1,868 1,520
4,132 3,540
----------- -----------
6. Called-up share capital Number GBP'000
Issued and fully paid:
Ordinary shares 25p each
Balance at 30 September 2016 45,282,829 11,321
Issue of Ordinary shares on conversion
of Subscription shares 3,895,938 974
Buyback of Ordinary shares (15,985) (4)
Balance at 31 March 2017 49,162,782 12,291
------------ --------
Subscription shares of 0.01p each
Balance at 30 September 2016 3,895,938 -
Conversion of Subscription shares
into Ordinary shares (3,895,938) -
Balance at 31 March 2017 - -
------------ --------
Called-up share capital at 31 March
2017 12,291
--------
On 17 December 2010 the Company issued 7,585,860 Subscription
shares by way of a bonus issue to the ordinary shareholders on the
basis of one Subscription share for every five ordinary shares.
Each Subscription share conferred the right, but not the
obligation, to subscribe for one ordinary share on any Subscription
date, being the last business day of June and December in each year
commencing June 2011, the conversion price was determined as being
320p. The final Subscription date was on the last business day of
December in 2016, after which the rights under the Subscription
shares lapsed.
During the six months ended 31 March 2017, shareholders
exercised their right to convert 3,895,938 Subscription shares into
ordinary shares (31 March 2016 - 782,215) for a consideration of
GBP12,467,001 (31 March 2016 - GBP2,330,228). No other Ordinary
Shares (31 March 2016 - 1,005,000) were issued for a consideration
of GBPnil (31 March 2016 - GBP4,489,392).
During the six months ended 31 March 2017, 15,985 ordinary
shares (31 March 2016 - nil) were repurchased for a consideration
of GBP63,742 (31 March 2016 - nil).
7. Capital reserve
The capital reserve figure reflected in the Condensed Statement
of Financial Position includes investment holdings gains at the
period end of GBP42,507,679 (30 September 2016 - gains of
GBP37,303,519).
As at As at
Net asset value per ordinary 31 March 30 September
8. share 2017 2016
Basic:
Attributable net assets (GBP'000) 222,215 199,730
Number of ordinary shares
in issue* 49,162,782 45,282,829
NAV per ordinary share (p) 452.00 441.07
Diluted:
Attributable net assets assuming
exercise of subscription
shares(GBP'000) 222,215 212,197
Number of potential ordinary
shares in issue* 49,162,782 49,178,767
NAV per ordinary share (p) 452.00 431.48
* Excludes shares in issue held in treasury. At
31 March 2017 there were 15,985 shares in treasury
(2016: nil).
9. Transaction costs
During the period expenses were incurred in acquiring
or disposing of investments classified as fair
value through profit or loss. These have been
expensed through capital and are included within
gains/(losses) on investments in the Condensed
Statement of Comprehensive Income. The total costs
were as follows:
Six months Six months
ended ended
31 March 31 March
2017 2016
GBP'000 GBP'000
Purchases 298 261
Sales 36 33
--------------- --------------------
334 294
--------------- --------------------
10. Fair Value Hierarchy
FRS 102 requires an entity 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 classifications:
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 assets or liabilities, either directly
(i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and
Level 3: inputs for the assets or liabilities that are not based
on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
All of the Company's investments are in quoted equities (30
September 2016 - same) that are actively traded on recognised stock
exchanges, with their fair value being determined by reference to
their quoted bid prices at the reporting date. The total value of
the investments have therefore been deemed as Level 1 (30 September
2016 - same).
11. Half Yearly Report
The financial information contained in this Half-Yearly
Financial Report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined
in Sections 434-436 of the Companies Act 2006. The financial
information for the six months ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March
2016 has not been audited.
The information for the year ended 30 September 2016 has been
extracted from the latest published audited financial statements
which have been filed with the Registrar of Companies. The report
of the auditors on those accounts contained no qualification or
statement under Section 498 (2), (3) or (4) of the Companies Act
2006.
12. This Half-Yearly Financial Report was approved by the Board on 23 May 2017.
Directors' Responsibility Statement
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Half-Yearly
Financial Report in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The Directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge -
-- the condensed set of Financial Statements have been prepared
in accordance with the Accounting Standards Board's statement
"Half-Yearly Financial Reports"; and
-- the Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the
information required by 4.2.7R and 4.2.8R of the Financial Conduct
Authority's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
The Half-Yearly Financial Report, for the six months ended 31
March 2017, comprises an Interim Management Report in the form of
the Strategic Report, the Directors' Responsibility Statement and a
condensed set of Financial Statements, which has not been audited
or reviewed by the auditors pursuant to the Auditing Practices
Board guidance on Review of Interim Financial Information.
For and on behalf of the Directors of Standard Life Equity
Income Trust plc
Richard Burns
Chairman
23 May 2017
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR BSGDUSBDBGRX
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