TIDMARGO
RNS Number : 2840H
ARGO Group Limited
31 July 2019
Argo Group Limited
("Argo" or the "Company")
Interim Results for the six months ended 30 June 2019
Argo today announces its interim results for the six months
ended 30 June 2019.
The Company will today make available its interim report for the
six months period ended 30 June 2019 on the Company's website
www.argogrouplimited.com.
Key highlights for the six months period ended 30 June 2019
This report sets out the results of Argo Group Limited (the
"Company") and its subsidiaries (collectively "the Group" or
"Argo") covering the six months ended 30 June 2019.
- Revenues US$2.4 million (six months to 30 June 2018: US$2.2 million)
- Operating loss US$0.03 million (six months to 30 June 2018: loss US$0.6 million)
- Profit before tax US$1.5 million (six months to 30 June 2018: loss US$0.7 million)
- Net assets US$22.0 million (31 December 2018: US$23.3 million)
Commenting on the results and outlook, Kyriakos Rialas, Chief
Executive Officer of Argo said:
"In the first six months of 2019 Argo has been active on several
fronts. Firstly, it completed a successful shareholder buyback
providing liquidity to those shareholders who wished to exit.
Secondly at fund level we have completed the monetisation of our
long-term investment in the Indonesian Refinery Company Tuban
Petrochemical (TPPI) by selling and closing a position that has
been in our books for around 15 years. Our flagship Fund, The Argo
Fund, returned to profitability with over 4% net return in the
first six months following a disappointing 2018 for the EM
industry. Furthermore, The Argo Fund has grown to above US$90
million making it more attractive to potential investors."
Enquiries
Argo Group Limited
Andreas Rialas
020 7016 7660
Panmure Gordon
Dominic Morley
020 7886 2500
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No 596/2014.
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
The Group and its investment objective
Argo's investment objective is to provide investors with
absolute returns in the funds that it manages by investing in multi
strategy investments in emerging markets.
Argo was listed on the AIM market in November 2008 and has a
performance track record dating back to 2000.
Business and operational review
For the six months ended 30 June 2019 the Group generated
revenues of US$2.4 million (six months to 30 June 2018: US$2.2
million) with management fees accounting for US$2.0 million (six
months to 30 June 2018: US$2.1 million).
Total operating costs for the period, ignoring bad debt
provisions, are US$2.2 million compared to US$2.1 million for the
six months to 30 June 2018. The Group has provided against
management fees of US$0.3 million (EUR0.2 million) (six months to
30 June 2018: US$0.6 million (EUR0.5 million)) due from AREOF. In
the Directors' view these amounts are fully recoverable however
they have concluded that it would not be appropriate to continue to
recognise income without provision from these investment management
services as the timing of such receipts may be outside the control
of the Company and AREOF.
Overall, the financial statements show an operating loss for the
period of US$0.03 million (six months to 30 June 2018: loss US$0.6
million) and a profit before tax of US$1.5 million (six months to
30 June 2018: loss US$0.7 million) reflecting the net profit on
investments of US$1.4 million (six months to 30 June 2018: net loss
US$0.2 million).
At the period end, the Group had net assets of US$22.0 million
(31 December 2018: US$23.3 million) and net current assets of
US$21.6 million (31 December 2018: US$22.8 million) including cash
reserves of US$1.2 million (31 December 2018: US$4.0 million).
Net assets include investments in TAF, AREOF, Argo Special
Situations Fund LP and ADCF (together referred to as "the Argo
Funds") at fair values of US$19.0 million (31 December 2018:
US$18.2 million), US$ nil (31 December 2018: US$0.1 million),
US$0.04 million (31 December 2018: US$0.04 million) and US$0.8
million (31 December 2018: US$ nil) respectively.
At the period end the Argo Funds (excluding AREOF) owed the
Group total management and performance fees of US$0.7 million (31
December 2018: US$0.6 million).
The Argo Funds (excluding AREOF) ended the period with Assets
under Management ("AUM") at US$151.2 million. The current level of
AUM remains below that required to ensure sustainable profits on a
recurring management fee basis in the absence of performance fees.
This has necessitated an ongoing review of the Group's cost basis.
Nevertheless, the Group has ensured that the operational framework
remains intact and that it retains the capacity to manage
additional fund inflows as and when they arise.
The average number of permanent employees of the Group for the
six months to 30 June 2019 was 21 (30 June 2018: 20).
The Group has provided AREOF with a notice of deferral in
relation to amounts due from the provision of investment management
services, under which it will not demand payment of such amounts
until the Group judges that AREOF is in a position to pay the
outstanding liability. These amounts accrued or receivable at 30
June 2019 total US$ Nil (31 December 2018: US$ Nil) after a bad
debt provision of US$9.1 million (EUR8.0 million) (31 December
2018: US$8.9 million, EUR7.8 million). AREOF continues to meet part
of this obligation to the Argo Group as and when liquidity allows.
AREOF paid US$0.3 million (EUR0.3 million) towards management fees
owed to the Group in June 2019. In November 2013 AREOF offered Argo
Group Limited additional security for the continued support in the
form of debentures and guarantees by underlying intermediate
companies. The AREOF management contract expires on the later of
its termination or the sale of all assets in the Portfolio. The
life of the Fund is due to expire on 30 June 2034.
Fund performance
The Argo Funds
30 June 30 June 2018
Launch 2019 2018 year Sharpe Down
Since Annualised
Fund date 6 months 6 months total inception performance ratio months AUM
% % % % CAGR % US$m
------- --------- --------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------ -------- ------
70 of
The Argo Fund Oct-00 4.25 -1.95 -5.65 230.94 7.36 0.47 225 92.8
------- --------- --------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------ -------- ------
Argo Distressed 59 of
Credit Fund Oct-08 5.18 -0.40 1.58 251.83 14.30 0.63 129 49.2
------- --------- --------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------ -------- ------
Argo Special
Situations 71 of
Fund LP Feb-12 12.08 -1.91 26.8 -60.41 1.02 0.02 95 9.2
------- --------- --------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------ -------- ------
Total 151.2
--------- --------- ------ ---------- ------------ ------ -------- ------
* NAV only officially measured once a year in September.
AREOF's adjusted NAV at 30 September 2018* was US$15.0 million
(EUR13.1 million), compared with US$0.7 million (EUR0.6 million) a
year earlier. The Adjusted NAV per share at 30 September 2018 was
US$0.0247 (EUR0.0216) (2017: US$0.001 (EUR0.001)). The improvement
in NAV follows the completion of the restructuring of the loan
supporting Riviera Shopping City in June 2018.
The main shareholder in AREOF:
Entity No of Shares %
------------------------ ------------- ----
Argo Distressed Credit
Fund 504,466,674 83%
Following the disappointing performance last year, markets
recovered strongly in the first half of 2019. Safe-haven assets
such as government bonds and gold were amongst the best performers,
particularly in the second quarter, whilst risk assets also
recorded year-to-date gains.
Both equities and bonds benefited from the dovish shift in tone
from global monetary policymakers, notably the US Federal Reserve
and the European Central Bank, that many investors hoped would lead
to lower policy interest rates and the maintenance or even
expansion of liquidity. The gains came about despite the escalation
of the US-China trade dispute as well as rising trade tension
between other countries. The US economy is now widely believed to
be in the late-cycle phase but with low near-term risk of recession
and with slowing growth elsewhere, including China, it appears that
global economic momentum has peaked.
Historically, emerging markets have been vulnerable to swings
-particularly strengthening-in the value of the US dollar and a
weakening of world trade and growth. However, consumption remains
resilient in several EM economies, despite a global manufacturing
slowdown, and there appears scope for central banks in many EMs to
lower interest rates, leading to further compression in local
yields. As always, political events remain to the fore in EM
investing. President Jokowi was re-elected in Indonesia and in
South Africa, the re-election of the African National Congress
Party was positive, despite a decrease in the size of its majority.
Meanwhile, in Turkey the heterodox policies pursued by President
Erdogan and the recent dismissal of the central bank governor have
unsettled investors and the markets await the outcome of the
elections in Argentina in the Autumn; the Macri administration has
enjoyed considerable support from the IMF for its economic
programme and is hoping to be elected for an additional term.
The Argo Fund, the group's flagship fund, deploys a long-short
EM bond and forex strategy. Its Net Asset Value ("NAV") rose by
4.25% in the first six months of 2019 largely due to the
performance of high beta sovereign and corporate bonds in the
portfolio; perhaps unsurprisingly, the Fund's short positions were
the biggest detractors. The AUM of this fund increased to US$92.8
million at the end of June 2019, within sight of the targeted
US$100 million which we believe is important for raising additional
external funding. The NAV of the Argo Distressed Credit Fund rose
by 5.18% in the first half and we are planning to re-launch this
fund to attract additional capital. The NAV of the Argo Special
Situations Fund increased by 12.08%. The latter funds have now
completed the realisation of their remaining exposure to the
refinery in Indonesia.
Dividends and share purchase programme
The Group did not pay a dividend during the current or prior
period. The Directors intend to restart dividend payments as soon
as the Group's performance provides a consistent track record of
profitability.
During the period, the Directors authorised the repurchase of
8,072,892 shares for a total cost of US$2.7 million (GBP2.1
million) by way of a tender offer. The Board is currently
evaluating the merits of a further tender offer later this
year.
Outlook
The Board remains optimistic about the Group's prospects based
on the transactions in the pipeline and the Group's initiatives to
increase AUM. A significant increase in AUM is still required to
ensure sustainable profits on a recurring management fee basis and
the Group is well placed with capacity to absorb such an increase
in AUM with negligible impact on operational costs.
Boosting AUM will be Argo's top priority in the next six months.
The Group's marketing efforts will continue to focus on TAF which
has an 18-year track record as well as identifying acquisitions
that are earnings enhancing.
Over the longer term, the Board believes there is significant
opportunity for growth in assets and profits and remains committed
to ensuring the Group's investment management capabilities and
resources are appropriate to meet its key objective of achieving a
consistent positive investment performance in the emerging markets
sector.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 30 JUNE 2019
Six months Six months
ended ended
30 June 30 June
2019 2018
Note US$'000 US$'000
Management fees 2,013 2,115
Performance fees 300 -
Other income 122 125
============================================= ===== =========== ====== ===========
Revenue 2,435 2,240
============================================= ===== =========== ====== ===========
Legal and professional expenses (303) (177)
Management and incentive fees payable (34) (35)
Operational expenses (520) (559)
Employee costs (1,291) (1,347)
9,
Bad debt provision 10 (295) (692)
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain (20) 1
Depreciation 7 (5) (6)
Operating loss (33) (575)
============================================= ===== =========== ====== ===========
Interest income 90 99
Realised and unrealised gain/(losses)
on investments 8 1,438 (238)
============================================= ===== =========== ====== ===========
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
before taxation 1,495 (714)
============================================= ===== =========== ====== ===========
Taxation 5 (19) (11)
============================================= ===== =========== ====== ===========
Profit/(loss) for the period after
taxation attributable to members of
the Company 6 1,476 (725)
Other comprehensive income
Items that may be reclassified subsequently
to profit or loss:
Exchange differences on translation
of foreign operations (44) (98)
============================================= ===== =========== ====== ===========
Total comprehensive income for the
period 1,432 (823)
============================================= ===== =========== ====== ===========
Six months Six months
Ended Ended
30 June 30 June
2018 2018
US$ US$
Earnings per share (basic) 6 0.03 (0.02)
============================================= ===== =========== ===============
Earnings per share (diluted) 6 0.03 (0.01)
============================================= ===== =========== ===============
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
AS AT 30 JUNE 2019
30 June 31 December
2019 2018
Note US$'000 US$'000
Assets
Non-current assets
Land, fixtures, fittings and
equipment 7 207 212
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss 8 45 159
Loans and advances receivable 10 103 118
================================ ===== ========== ============
Total non-current assets 355 489
================================ ===== ========== ============
Current assets
Financial assets at fair value
through profit or loss 8 19,745 18,193
Trade and other receivables 9 887 757
Loans and advances receivable 10 15 -
Tax receivable 5 - 5
Cash and cash equivalents 1,168 4,005
Total current assets 21,815 22,960
================================ ===== ========== ============
Total assets 22,170 23,449
================================ ===== ========== ============
Equity and liabilities
Equity
Issued share capital 11 390 470
Share premium 25,353 28,022
Revenue reserve (887) (2,363)
Foreign currency translation
reserve (2,904) (2,860)
================================ ===== ========== ============
Total equity 21,952 23,269
================================ ===== ========== ============
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables 214 180
Tax payable 4 -
Total current liabilities 218 180
Total equity and liabilities 22,170 23,449
================================ ===== ========== ============
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 30 JUNE 2019
Foreign
Issued currency
share Share Revenue translation
capital premium reserve reserve Total
2018 2018 2018 2018 2018
US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
As at 1 January 2018 470 28,022 (1,127) (2,705) 24,660
Total comprehensive
income
Loss for the period
after taxation - - (725) - (725)
Other comprehensive
income - - - (98) (98)
As at 30 June 2018 470 28,022 (1,852) (2,803) 21,044
====================== ========== ========== ================ =============== ========
Foreign
Issued currency
share Share Revenue translation
capital premium reserve reserve Total
2019 2019 2019 2019 2019
US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
As at 1 January 2019 470 28,022 (2,363) (2,860) 23,269
Total comprehensive
income
Profit for the period
after taxation - - 1,476 - 1,476
Other comprehensive
income - - - (44) (44)
Transaction with owners
recorded directly in
equity
Purchase of own shares (80) (2,669) - - (2,749)
As at 30 June 2019 390 25,353 (887) (2,904) 21,952
========================= ========== ========== ========== ================ ========
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHSED 30 JUNE 2019
Six months Six months
ended ended
30 June 30 June
2019 2018
Note US$'000 US$'000
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from
operating activities 12 (32) 3,365
========================================= ===== =========== ===========
Cash flows used in investing activities
Interest received on cash and
cash equivalents 8 11
Purchase of fixtures, fittings
and equipment 7 (1) (1)
Purchase of current asset investments 8 - (4,000)
Net cash generated from/(used
in) investing activities 7 (3,990)
========================================= ===== =========== ===========
Cash flows from financing activities
Repurchase of own shares (2,749) -
Net cash used in financing activities (2,749) -
========================================= ===== =========== ===========
Net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents (2,774) (625)
Cash and cash equivalents at 1
January 2019 and
1 January 2018 4,005 5,031
Foreign exchange loss on cash
and cash equivalents (63) (91)
Cash and cash equivalents as at
30 June 2019 and 30 June 2018 1,168 4,315
========================================= ===== =========== ===========
1. CORPORATE INFORMATION
The Company is domiciled in the Isle of Man under the Companies
Act 2006. Its registered office is at 33-37 Athol Street, Douglas,
Isle of Man, IM1 1LB. The condensed consolidated interim financial
statements of the Group as at and for the six months ended 30 June
2019 comprise the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred
to as the "Group").
The consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for
the year ended 31 December 2018 are available upon request from the
Company's registered office or at www.argogrouplimited.com.
The principal activity of the Company is that of a holding
company and the principal activity of the wider Group is that of an
investment management business. The functional and presentational
currency of the Group undertakings is US dollars.
Wholly owned subsidiaries Country of incorporation
Argo Capital Management (Cyprus) Limited Cyprus
Argo Capital Management Limited United Kingdom
Argo Capital Management Property Limited Cayman Islands
Argo Property Management Srl Romania
2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a) Basis of preparation
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements have
been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial
Reporting. They do not include all the information required for
full annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and
for the year ended 31 December 2018.
The accounting policies applied by the Group in these condensed
consolidated interim financial statements are the same as those
applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements as at
and for the year ended 31 December 2018.
These condensed consolidated interim financial statements were
approved by the Board of Directors on 30 July 2019.
b) Financial instruments and fair value hierarchy
The following represents the fair value hierarchy of financial
instruments measured at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated
Statement of Financial Position. The hierarchy groups financial
assets and liabilities into three levels based on the significance
of inputs used in measuring the fair value of the financial assets
and liabilities. The fair value hierarchy has 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
(i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices); and
Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on
observable market data (unobservable inputs).
The level within which the financial asset or liability is
classified is determined based on the lowest level of significant
input to the fair value measurement
3. SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS
The Group operates as a single asset management business.
The operating results of the companies are regularly reviewed by
the Directors of the Group for the purposes of making decisions
about resources to be allocated to each company and to assess
performance. The following summary analyses revenues, profit or
loss, assets and liabilities:
Argo Capital Argo Capital
Management Argo Capital Management Six months
Argo Group (Cyprus) Management Property ended
Ltd Ltd Ltd Ltd 30 June
2019 2019 2019 2019 2019
US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
Total revenues
for reportable
segments customers - 437 1,748 687 2,872
Intersegment
revenues - 437 - - 437
Total profit/(loss)
for reportable
segments 1,114 135 157 70 1,476
Intersegment
profit/(loss) - 437 (437) - -
Total assets
for reportable
segments assets 20,034 346 1,100 690 22,170
Total liabilities
for reportable
segments 6 10 92 110 218
===================== ============= ============= =============== =============== ===========
Revenues, profit or loss, assets and liabilities Six months
may be reconciled as follows:
Ended
30 June
2019
US$'000
Revenues
Total revenues for reportable segments 2,872
Elimination of intersegment revenues (437)
================================================== ===========
Group revenues 2,435
================================================== ===========
Profit or loss
Total profit for reportable segments 1,495
Elimination of intersegment loss -
Other unallocated amounts -
================================================== ===========
Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1,495
================================================== ===========
Assets
Total assets for reportable segments 22,546
Elimination of intersegment receivables (376)
Group assets 22,170
================================================== ===========
Liabilities
Total liabilities for reportable segments 594
Elimination of intersegment payables (376)
================================================== ===========
Group liabilities 218
================================================== ===========
Argo Capital Argo Capital
Management Argo Capital Management Six months
Argo Group (Cyprus) Management Property ended
Ltd Ltd Ltd Ltd 30 June
2018 2018 2018 2018 2018
US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
Total revenues
for reportable
segments - 377 1,510 730 2,617
Intersegment
revenues - 377 - - 377
Total profit/(loss)
for reportable
segments (419) 141 (115) (321) (714)
Intersegment
profit/(loss) - 377 (377) - -
Total assets
for reportable
segments 20,127 1,440 1,467 2,222 25,256
Total liabilities
for reportable
segments 6 32 392 989 1,419
===================== ============= ============= =============== =============== ===========
Revenues, profit or loss, assets and liabilities Six months
may be reconciled as follows:
ended
30 June
2018
US$'000
Revenues
Total revenues for reportable segments 2,617
Elimination of intersegment revenues (377)
================================================== ===========
Group revenues 2,240
================================================== ===========
Profit or loss
Total loss for reportable segments (714)
Elimination of intersegment loss -
Other unallocated amounts -
================================================== ===========
Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (714)
================================================== ===========
Assets
Total assets for reportable segments 25,256
Elimination of intersegment receivables (1,233)
Group assets 24,023
================================================== ===========
Liabilities
Total liabilities for reportable segments 1,419
Elimination of intersegment payables (1,233)
================================================== ===========
Group liabilities 186
================================================== ===========
4. SHARE-BASED INCENTIVE PLANS
On 14 March 2011 the Group granted options over 5,900,000 shares
to directors and employees under The Argo Group Limited Employee
Stock Option Plan. All options are exercisable at 24p per share
within 10 years of the grant date.
The fair value of the options granted was measured at the grant
date using a Black-Scholes model that takes into account the effect
of certain financial assumptions, including the option exercise
price, current share price and volatility, dividend yield and the
risk-free interest rate. The fair value of the options granted is
spread over the vesting period of the scheme and the value is
adjusted to reflect the actual number of shares that are expected
to vest.
The principal assumptions for valuing the options are:
Exercise price (pence) 24.0
Weighted average share price
at grant date (pence) 17.0
Weighted average option life
(years) 10.0
Expected volatility (% p.a.) 15.0
Dividend yield (% p.a.) 10.0
Risk-free interest rate (%
p.a.) 0.907
The fair value of options granted is recognised as an employee
expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The total charge
to employee costs in respect of this incentive plan is GBPnil (30
June 2018: GBPnil)
The number and weighted average exercise price of the share
options during the period is as follows:
Weighted average No. of share
exercise price options
Outstanding at beginning of period 24.0p 4,340,000
Granted during the period - -
Forfeited during the period - -
==================================== ================= =============
Outstanding at end of period 24.0p 4,340,000
==================================== ================= =============
Exercisable at end of period 24.0p 4,340,000
==================================== ================= =============
The options outstanding at 30 June 2019 have an exercise price
of 24p and a weighted average contractual life of 2 years.
Outstanding share options are contingent upon the option holder
remaining an employee of the Group.
No share options were issued during the period.
5. TAXATION
Taxation rates applicable to the parent company and the Cypriot,
UK, Luxembourg, Cayman and Romanian subsidiaries range from 0% to
19% (2018: 0% to 19%).
Consolidated statement of profit or
loss Six months Six months
ended Ended
30 June 30 June
2019 2018
US$'000 US$'000
Taxation charge for the period on Group
companies 19 11
========================================= =========== ===========
The charge for the period can be reconciled to the profit/(loss)
shown on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of profit or loss as
follows:
Six months Six months
ended Ended
30 June 30 June
2019 2018
US$'000 US$'000
Profit/(loss) before tax 1,495 (714)
================================================ ============== ===========
Applicable Isle of Man tax rate for - -
Argo Group Limited of 0%
Timing differences - -
Non-deductible expenses - -
Other adjustments (31) 22
Tax effect of different tax rates of
subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions 50 (11)
================================================ ============== ===========
Tax charge 19 11
================================================ ============== ===========
Consolidated statement of financial
position
30 June 31 December
2019 2018
US$'000 US$'000
Corporation tax (payable)/receivable (4) 5
====================================== ======== ============
6. EARNINGS PER SHARE
Earnings per share is calculated by dividing the net
profit/(loss) for the period by the weighted average number of
shares outstanding during the period.
Six months Six months
ended ended
30 June 30 June
2019 2018
US$'000 US$'000
Net profit/(loss) for the period after
taxation attributable to members 1,476 (725)
======================================== ============= =============
No. of No. of
shares shares
Weighted average number of ordinary
shares for basic earnings per share 42,996,432 47,032,878
Effect of dilution (Note 4) 4,340,000 4,340,000
======================================== ============= =============
Weighted average number of ordinary
shares for diluted earnings per share 47,336,432 52,372,878
======================================== ============= =============
Six months Six months
Ended ended
30 June 30 June
2019 2018
US$ US$
Earnings per share (basic) 0.03 (0.02)
Earnings per share (diluted) 0.03 (0.01)
============================== =========== ===========
7. LAND, FIXTURES, FITTINGS AND EQUIPMENT
Fixtures,
fittings
and equipment Total
Land
US$'000 US$'000 US$'000
Cost
At 1 January 2018 269 193 462
Additions 8 - 8
Disposals - - -
Foreign exchange movement (11) (9) (20)
================================ =============== ======== =======================
At 31 December 2018 266 184 450
Additions 1 - 1
Foreign exchange movement (3) (1) (4)
================================ =============== ======== =======================
At 30 June 2019 264 183 447
================================ =============== ======== =======================
Accumulated Depreciation
At 1 January 2018 235 - 235
Depreciation charge for period 12 - 26
Disposals - - -
Foreign exchange movement (9) - 9
================================ =============== ======== =======================
At 31 December 2018 238 - 238
Depreciation charge for period 5 - 5
Foreign exchange movement (3) - (3)
================================ =============== ======== =======================
At 30 June 2019 240 - 240
================================ =============== ======== =======================
Net book value
At 31 December 2018 28 184 212
28
================================ =============== ======== =======================
At 30 June 2019 24 183 207
================================ =============== ======== =======================
8. FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
30 June 2019 30 June 2019
Holding Investment in management Total cost Fair value
shares
US$'000 US$'000
10 The Argo Fund Ltd - -
100 Argo Distressed Credit - -
Fund Ltd
1 Argo Special Situations - -
Fund LP
- -
======== ========================= =============== ===============
Holding Investment in ordinary Total cost Fair value
shares
US$'000 US$'000
57,310 The Argo Fund Ltd* 15,472 18,966
- Argo Real Estate Opportunities - -
Fund Ltd
Argo Special Situations
115 Fund LP 115 45
Argo Distressed Credit
221 Fund Limited* 786 779
======== =============================== ============= =============
14,262 19,790
======== =============================== ============= =============
31 December 31 December
2018 2018
Holding Investment in management Total cost Fair value
shares
US$'000 US$'000
10 The Argo Fund Ltd - -
100 Argo Distressed Credit - -
Fund Ltd
1 Argo Special Situations - -
Fund LP
- -
======== ========================= ============== ==============
Holding Investment in ordinary Total cost Fair value
shares
US$'000 US$'000
57,309 The Argo Fund Ltd* 15,472 18,193
Argo Real Estate Opportunities
30,056,500 Fund Ltd 988 119
Argo Special Situations
115 Fund LP 115 40
- Argo Distressed Credit - -
Fund Ltd*
=========== =============================== ============= =============
16,575 18,352
=========== =============================== ============= =============
*Classified as current in the consolidated statement of
Financial Position
Note that some of the Argo Funds listed above may have
investments in each other.
During the period, the Group sold its investment of 30,056,500
shares in AREOF at EUR0.02 each for 221 shares in ADCF in
consideration.
9. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES
At 30 June At 31 December
2019 2018
US$ '000 US$ '000
Trade receivables - Gross 9,873 9,752
Less: provision for impairment
of trade receivables (9,196) (9,188)
-------------------------------- ------------- -----------------
Trade receivables - Net 677 564
Other receivables 121 111
Prepayments and accrued income 89 82
================================ ============= =================
887 757
================================ ============= =================
The Directors consider that the carrying amount of trade and
other receivables approximates their fair value. All trade
receivable balances are recoverable within one year from the
reporting date except as disclosed below.
A provision for impairment has been raised for all balances owed
by the AREOF Group under trade and other receivables. These
balances include all management fees and other loans and advances
made by the investment manager to the AREOF Group. These amounted
to US$11.8 million (EUR10.3 million) (31 December 2018: US$11.6
million, EUR10.1 million).
The movement in the Group's provision for impairment of trade
and loan receivables is as follow:
At 30 June At 31 December
2019 2018
US$ '000 US$ '000
Opening balance 11,803 10,992
Bad debt recovered (338) -
Charged during the period 633 1,350
Foreign exchange movement (90) (539)
=========================== ============= =================
Closing balance 12,008 11,803
=========================== ============= =================
10. LOANS AND ADVANCES RECEIVABLE
At 30 June At 31 December
2019 2018
US$'000 US$'000
Deposits on leased premises - 15 -
current
Deposits on leased premises -
non-current (see below) 103 118
9
Other loans and advances receivable - -
- non-current
===================================== ============ === ===========================
118 118
===================================== ============ === ===========================
The deposits on leased premises are retained by the lessor until
vacation of the premises at the end of the lease term as
follows:
At 30 June At 31 December
2019 2018
t 31 December
2016
US$'000 US$'000
Non-current:
Lease expiring in second year
after the reporting date - 14
Lease expiring in fourth year 103 -
after the reporting date
Lease expiring in fifth year after
reporting date - 104
103 118
==================================== =========== ===============
11. SHARE CAPITAL
The Company's authorised share capital is unlimited with a
nominal value of US$0.01.
30 June 30 June 31 December 31 December
2019 2019 2018 2018
No. US$'000 No. US$'000
Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of
US$0.01 each 38,959,986 390 47,032,878 470
======================= ============= ========== ============= ============
38,959,986 390 47,032,878 470
======================= ============= ========== ============= ============
The Directors did not recommend the payment of a final dividend
for the year ended 31 December 2018 and do not recommend an interim
dividend in respect of the current period.
12. RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH INFLOW/(OUTFLOW) FROM OPERATING
ACTIVITIES TO PROFIT/(LOSS) ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES BEFORE
TAXATION
Six months Six months
ended ended
30 June 2019 30 June
2018
US$'000 US$'000
Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
before taxation 1,495 (714)
Interest income (90) (99)
Depreciation 5 6
Realised and unrealised (gain)/loss (1,438) 238
Net foreign exchange loss/(gain) 20 (1)
Increase/(decrease) in payables 34 (1,943)
(Increase)/decrease in receivables,
loans and advances (48) 5,878
Corporation tax paid (10) -
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from operating
activities (32) 3,365
========================================== ================ =============
13. FAIR VALUE HIERARCY
The table below analyses financial instruments measured at fair
value at the end of the reporting period by the level of the fair
value hierarchy (note 2b).
At 30 June 2019
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
US$ '000 US$ '000 US$ '000 US$ '000
Financial assets
at fair value through
profit or loss - 19,745 45 19,790
======================== ========== ========= ========= =========
At 31 December 2018
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
US$ '000 US$ '000 US$ '000 US$ '000
Financial assets
at fair value through
profit or loss - 18,193 159 18,352
======================== ========== ========= ========= =========
The following table shows a reconciliation from the opening
balances to the closing balances for fair
value measurements in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy:
Unlisted Listed open
closed ended ended investment
investment fund
fund Emerging Markets
Real Estate Total
US$ '000 US$ '000 US$ '000
Balance as at 1 January
2019 119 40 159
Total profit recognized
in profit or loss 667 5 672
Transfer to ADCF (786) - (786)
Balance as at 30 June
2019 - 45 45
========================= ================ ==================== =========
14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Most Group revenues derive from funds or entities in which one
of the Company's directors, Kyriakos Rialas, has an influence
through directorships and the provision of investment advisory
services.
At the reporting date the Company holds investments in The Argo
Fund Limited, Argo Special Situations Fund LP and Argo Distressed
Credit Fund Limited. These investments are reflected in the
accounts at fair value of US$18.9 million, US$0.04 million and
US$0.8 million respectively.
The Group has provided AREOF with a notice of deferral in
relation to the amounts due from the provision of investment
management services, under which it will not demand payment of such
amounts until the Group judges that AREOF is in a position to pay
the outstanding liability. These amounts accrued or receivable at
30 June 2019 total US$ Nil (31 December 2018: US$ Nil) after a bad
debt provision of US$9.1 million (EUR8.0 million) (31 December
2018: US$8.9 million, EUR7.8 million). AREOF paid US$0.3 million
(EUR0.3 million) towards management fees owed to the Group in June
2019. In November 2013 AREOF offered Argo Group Limited additional
security for the continued support in the form of debentures and
guarantees by underlying intermediate companies. Argo Group Limited
retains this additional security.
At the period end the Argo Group is also owed loans repayable on
demand of US$2.3 million (EUR2.0 million) (31 December 2018: US$2.2
million, EUR1.9 million) by AREOF accruing interest at 10%. The
Company is also owed a further amount of US$0.4 million (EUR0.3
million) (31 December 2018: US$0.4 million, EUR0.4 million) by
other AREOF Group entities. A full provision has been made in the
consolidated financial statements against these balances at the
current and prior period end.
David Fisher, a non-executive director of the Company, is also a
non-executive director of AREOF.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the
London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct
Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United
Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution
of this information may apply. For further information, please
contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
END
IR SDWEESFUSELW
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