TIDMFCI
RNS Number : 8360F
F&C Capital & Income Inv Tst PLC
22 May 2017
Date: 22 May 2017
Contact: Julian Cane
F&C Investment Business Limited
020 7628 8000
F&C Capital and Income Investment Trust PLC
Unaudited Statement of Results
for the half-year ended 31 March 2017
Highlights
-- Net Asset Value per share total return* was 10.4%, compared to benchmark return of 8.1%
-- Also ahead of benchmark over one, three and five years
-- Share price total return* was 10.8%
-- Interim dividends increased by 2.1% to 4.80 pence
-- Continuing our record of consecutive dividend increases, now into our 24(th) year
"Under the 20 year tenure of the Company's Fund Manager, Julian
Cane, our Net Asset Value total return* is up by 303.0% compared
with an index return of 263.3% and we are now into our 24(th) year
of consecutive dividend increases."
Steven Bates
Chairman
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Half-year ended Half-year ended
31 March 2017 31 March 2016
------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
Net asset value total return* 10.4% 4.8%
Share price total return* 10.8% 3.8%
FTSE All-Share Index total return 8.1% 3.5%
------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
Dividends per ordinary share
First interim dividend in respect (1) 2.40p -
of year to
30 September 2017
30 September 2016 - 2.35p
Second interim dividend in respect (2) 2.40p -
of year to
30 September 2017
30 September 2016 - 2.35p
------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
Total interim dividends relating to
the period 4.80p 4.70p
------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------
(1) Paid on 31 March 2017.
(2) Payable on 30 June 2017 to shareholders registered on 2 June 2017.
* Total Return - the return to shareholders calculated on a per
share basis adding dividends paid in the period to the increase or
decrease in the Share Price or Net Asset Value in the period. The
dividends are assumed to have been re-invested on the date on which
the shares were quoted ex-dividend.
The Chairman, commenting on the results, said:
If you had known in advance what would happen during the six
month period covered by this statement, you might have expected
stock markets to fall. The arrival of an unpredictable President in
the US, confusion over policy issues, scandals and a rogue nuclear
state on high alert - all would indicate a cautious strategy. In
fact, of course, markets have risen and volatility has been
unusually low. The dominant influence on global affairs in the past
six months has been optimism that President Trump's policies would
revitalise the US economy and lead the world into the sunlit
uplands. As the scales have fallen from investor eyes, there has
been a collective shrug and things have reverted to the status quo
ante.
Your Company has had a good six months, growing NAV total return
per share by 10.4% compared with an 8.1% rise in the FTSE All-Share
Index total return. The share price total return (+10.8%) was more
or less in line with the NAV total return as the premium increased
very slightly. The performance numbers for the Company are good
over the longer run as well: over three years, the NAV total return
is up by 33.5%, compared with a rise of 24.9% for the index; over
five years NAV total return rose 68.2%, while the index managed
58.7%; and over twenty years, which represents the entire tenure to
date of your Company's fund manager, Julian Cane, the NAV total
return is up by 303.0%, compared with an index return of 263.3%.
You will read in the press that active fund management is a
'loser's game' and that the asset management industry exists only
to enrich itself. These numbers are a testament to the fact that
this opinion is at best an oversimplification, in particular as it
relates to investment trusts, and to the skills of your fund
manager who has been in control throughout.
Investment Background
The UK stock market is affected by international events as much
as by what is happening at home. The economy here is very open and
companies are typically outward looking, despite what politicians
would have you believe. The international environment has been
generally supportive of equity markets. Interest rates remain low,
although a series of widely signalled increases has begun in the
US. Economies remain subdued by the standards of past recoveries,
largely because of the huge volume of debt in the system in the
aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis. This fact, and the low
level of inflation, continues to weigh on interest rates
everywhere. In the wake of President Trump's barging onto the world
stage, investors expected a series of policy initiatives which
would increase the structural growth rate in the US. The checks and
balances built into the US system have put paid to a rapid rollout
of any of these measures, which were never likely to work anyway,
and the global economy has rocked back into its neutral
setting.
In the UK, BREXIT has dominated the debate, its most obvious
impact being on sterling, which has weakened very sharply. In the
period we are looking at here, it has fallen around 4%, mostly at
the start of the financial year. This will lead to higher inflation
in due course and initially led to a setback in the gilt market,
where 10 year yields doubled from
0.75% to 1.5%. Rates have settled back a little as it has become
clear that the rise in inflation is not yet being baked in to wage
increases and so is likely to be a one off event. In the meantime,
the UK consumer, perhaps anticipating higher prices, has been
drawing on savings to finance spending growth. At some point, this
will turn down. Unemployment remains at an 11 year low, although
the UK's productivity performance has been dismal.
It is important to remember that while we sterling-based folk
bask in the sunshine of decent returns, investors from overseas
have had a torrid time in the UK market. This combination of
factors has kept sterling assets denominated in US dollars or euros
at bargain prices, and this has triggered a lot of merger and
acquisition activity (e.g. the failed bid for Unilever), but
sometimes, ironically, from UK buyers - witness Booker, bid for by
Tesco. Both of these bids benefited the portfolio during the
period.
The impending general election will ensure that BREXIT remains
centre stage, and debate about what sort of divorce we end up with
will no doubt continue for years. It is beyond the scope of this
statement to make any predictions, but there can be no doubt that
companies will face some important strategic decisions in the years
ahead and will need certainty pretty soon about where things are
headed. It can only be hoped that the complexity of the
negotiations and the inevitability of a long transition period do
not unsettle markets. The economic impact is also far from certain
- the leads and lags in the economy from seismic shifts in policy
are surprisingly long.
Portfolio
Returns during this period do not reflect overarching themes.
The good numbers are rather the result of contributions from
individual stocks. In the Financials sector, for example,
OneSavings Bank benefited from the housing market remaining
reasonably strong, and positive contributions from Arrow Global and
Intermediate Capital outweighed some bad news from IG Group, which
faces a regulatory investigation. In the Industrials sector,
Melrose was notably helpful, while other positives came from
Treatt, a specialist flavours and fragrances business, and Booker,
because of its takeover.
On the other side of the ledger, operational problems at
Berendsen had a cost to the portfolio, and the holding has now been
sold. Dunelm, which is itself performing well, suffered from
weakness in the homewares market, while the strength of HSBC from
its international exposure was not fully reflected in our portfolio
as our holding is small relative to the index. Media stocks were
expensive for us in relative terms, as the sector remained static,
although there were no developments of note.
During this period, there were a number of high profile profit
warnings, one or two of which affected the portfolio, but Julian
continues to focus on identifying companies which can deliver
capital growth and income in what remains a challenging
environment. Not only is the analysis of economic conditions and so
profit growth unusually treacherous, but also many industries face
existential issues from disruptive technology and new business
models. Having said this, I would emphasise the Board's view that
the portfolio is well structured and designed to deliver on its
core objectives.
Operational Matters
We are now into our 24(th) year of consecutive dividend
increases. The Company has paid one dividend for the financial year
so far and will be paying a second on 30 June 2017. Each of these
is for 2.4 pence per share, which represents an increase of 2.1% on
the same period last year. I appreciate that this does not sound
dramatic, but it is closely in line with inflation over the past
year (CPI 2.3%). Our forecast for income over the balance of the
financial year points to an ability to continue with the increases
we have seen in recent years. It is worth noting we have income
reserves in excess of the cost of a full year of dividend payments
to ensure that we can continue a smooth progression in the dividend
should any shortfall need to be met.
During the half year, we issued 1 million shares at the
customary premium to NAV. This brings our overall market
capitalisation to GBP305 million. I will repeat what I have said in
previous years that the Company gains two advantages from being
larger. The first is that stock market liquidity is better; the
second that our fixed expenses are spread over a larger asset
base.
Gearing has helped returns over the period. It stood at GBP20
million at the end of March, which translates into a gearing ratio
of 7%. We continue to deploy our available gearing conservatively,
with its use determined primarily by what we see as the available
returns on our investments.
Outlook
There is plenty of excitement out there if you choose to look
for it. Nevertheless, it is sometimes surprising how little impact
the geopolitical events in the world affect stock markets. At the
moment this reflects the reality that equities, which are by no
means in the bargain bin, are still a lot more interesting as
investments than cash or bonds. Sometimes this 'one way' market
leads to complacency and these are moments when a correction is
due.
Beyond the political sphere, it is certainly true that the
global economy remains unbalanced with the capacity to deliver a
credit crunch or banking crisis. Those of us who worry about such
things fret about imbalances in China, the risks of revisiting the
Eurozone debacle and a host of others. It is notable that the
economic cycle which began in 2009 is now long in the tooth and is
already one of the longest expansions on record, but it is also one
of the weakest. As time goes by, the risks of a cyclical downturn
increase but nothing looks imminent. The year ahead will have some
road bumps, as it always does, but a car crash looks unlikely.
Steven Bates
22 May 2017
Forward -looking statements
This half-yearly report may contain forward-looking statements
with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and
business of the Company. Such statements involve risk and
uncertainty because they relate to future events and circumstances
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The forward
looking statements are based on the Directors' current view and on
information known to them at the date of this report. Nothing
should be construed as a profit forecast.
Directors' Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties
Most of the Company's principal risks and uncertainties are
market related and no different from those of other investment
trusts investing primarily in listed equities. They are described
in more detail under the heading "Principal risks and future
prospects" within the strategic report in the Company's annual
report for the year ended 30 September 2016. The risks have not
changed materially since the date of that report and are not
expected to change materially for the reminder of the Company's
financial year.
The risks include: having an inappropriate strategy in relation
to investor needs; failure on the part of the Manager to continue
to operate effectively; unfavourable markets or inappropriate asset
allocation, sector and stock selection, currency exposure and use
of gearing and derivatives leading to investment underperformance;
and errors, fraud or control failures at service providers, or loss
of data through cyber-threats or business continuity failure.
Directors' Statement of Responsibilities in Respect of the
Financial Statements
In accordance with Chapter 4 of the Disclosure and Transparency
Rules the Directors confirm, that to the best of their
knowledge:
-- the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared
in accordance with applicable UK Accounting Standards on a going
concern basis and gives a true and fair view of the assets,
liabilities, financial position and return of the Company;
-- the half-yearly report includes a fair review of the
important events that have occurred during the first six months of
the financial year and their impact on the financial
statements;
-- the Directors' Statement of Principal Risks and Uncertainties
shown above is a fair review of the principal risks and
uncertainties for the remainder of the financial year; and
-- the half-yearly report includes a fair review of the related
party transactions that have taken place in the first six months of
the financial year.
On behalf of the Board
Steven Bates
Chairman
22 May 2017
Condensed Income Statement
Half-year ended 31 March 2017 Half-year ended 31 March 2016 (Unaudited)
(Unaudited)
Note Revenue Capital Total Revenue Capital Total
GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Gains on investments - 22,792 22,792 - 6,643 6,643
Foreign exchange gains / (losses) 5 (7) (2) (2) (9) (11)
Income 5,610 - 5,610 5,832 - 5,832
Management fee (307) (307) (614) (270) (270) (540)
Other expenses (266) (1) (267) (298) (3) (301)
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net return before finance costs and
taxation 5,042 22,477 27,519 5,262 6,361 11,623
Finance costs (147) (147) (294) (161) (161) (322)
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net return on ordinary activities before
taxation 4,895 22,330 27,225 5,101 6,200 11,301
Taxation on ordinary activities 109 - 109 - - -
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
Net return attributable to
shareholders 5,004 22,330 27,334 5,101 6,200 11,301
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
2 Net Return per share - pence 5.13 22.91 28.04 5.36 6.51 11.87
--------------------------------------------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- ---------
The total column of this statement is the profit and loss
account of the Company. The revenue return and capital return
columns are supplementary to this and are prepared under guidance
published by the Association of Investment Companies.
All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from
continuing operations.
A statement of Comprehensive Income is not required as all gains
and losses of the Company have been reflected in the above
Statement.
Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity
Share Capital Total
Share premium redemption Special Capital Revenue shareholders'
capital account reserve reserve reserves reserve funds
GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s
---------------------------------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------------
Half-year ended 31 March 2017
(Unaudited)
Balance at 30 September 2016 24,196 112,997 4,146 4,434 115,205 11,049 272,027
Movements during the half-year
ended 31 March 2017
Dividends paid - - - - - (5,505) (5,505)
Ordinary shares issued 250 2,640 - - - - 2,890
Return attributable to equity
Shareholders - - - - 22,330 5,004 27,334
---------------------------------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------------
Balance at 31 March 2017 24,446 115,637 4,146 4,434 137,535 10,548 296,746
---------------------------------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------------
Half-year ended 31 March 2016
(Unaudited)
Balance at 30 September 2015 23,640 107,785 4,146 4,434 86,791 10,080 236,876
Movements during the half-year
ended 31 March 2016
Dividends paid - - - - - (5,282) (5,282)
Ordinary shares issued 250 2,302 - - - - 2,552
Return attributable to equity
Shareholders - - - - 6,200 5,101 11,301
---------------------------------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------------
Balance at 31 March 2016 23,890 110,087 4,146 4,434 92,991 9,899 245,447
---------------------------------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------------
Year ended 30 September 2016
(Audited)
Balance at 30 September 2015 23,640 107,785 4,146 4,434 86,791 10,080 236,876
Movements during the year
ended 30 September 2016
Dividends paid - - - - - (9,816) (9,816)
Ordinary shares issued 556 5,212 - - - - 5,768
Return attributable to equity
Shareholders - - - - 28,414 10,785 39,199
---------------------------------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------------
Balance at 30 September 2016 24,196 112,997 4,146 4,434 115,205 11,049 272,027
---------------------------------- --------- --------- ----------- --------- --------- --------- --------------
Condensed Balance Sheet
31 March 2017 31 March 2016 30 September
2016
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited)
GBP'000s GBP'000s GBP'000s
-------------- -------------- -------------
Fixed assets
Investments 316,061 272,116 296,594
-------------- -------------- -------------
Current assets
Debtors 2,138 2,192 1,193
Current liabilities
Creditors amounts falling within
one year (1,453) (3,861) (760)
Loans (20,000) - -
-------------- -------------- -------------
Net current (liabilities) /
assets (19,315) (1,669) 433
-------------- -------------- -------------
Total assets less current liabilities 296,746 270,447 297,027
Creditors amounts falling due
after more than one year
Loans - (25,000) (25,000)
-------------- -------------- -------------
Net assets 296,746 245,447 272,027
-------------- -------------- -------------
Capital and reserves
Share capital 24,446 23,890 24,196
Share premium account 115,637 110,087 112,997
Capital redemption reserve 4,146 4,146 4,146
Special reserve 4,434 4,434 4,434
Capital reserves 137,535 92,991 115,205
Revenue reserve 10,548 9,899 11,049
-------------- -------------- -------------
Total shareholders' funds 296,746 245,447 272,027
-------------- -------------- -------------
Net asset value per ordinary
share - pence 303.47 256.85 281.06
-------------- -------------- -------------
Condensed Statement of Cash Flows
Half-year ended Half-year ended
31 March 2017 31 March 2016
GBP'000s GBP'000s
(Unaudited) (Unaudited)
---------------- ----------------
Net cash inflow from operating activities 3,890 4,046
---------------- ----------------
Investing activities
Purchase of investments (24,090) (33,155)
Sales of investments 27,415 27,232
Other capital charges (7) (1)
---------------- ----------------
Cash flows from investing activities 3,318 (5,924)
---------------- ----------------
Cash flows before financing activities 7,208 (1,878)
---------------- ----------------
Financing activities
Equity dividends paid (5,505) (5,282)
Net proceeds from issuance of new shares 2,890 2,552
Interest paid (300) (458)
(Decrease) / increase in loan (5,000) 5,000
---------------- ----------------
Cash flows from financing activities (7,915) 1,812
---------------- ----------------
Net movement in cash and cash equivalents (707) (66)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning
of the period (340) (3,276)
Effect of movement in foreign exchange (2) (11)
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of
the period (1,049) (3,353)
---------------- ----------------
Represented by:
Bank overdraft (1,049) (3,353)
Notes
1 Significant accounting policies
These condensed financial statements, which are unaudited, have
been prepared on a going concern basis in accordance with the
Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct
Authority, FRS 102, FRS 104 Interim Financial Reporting issued by
the FRC in March 2016 and the revised Statement of Recommended
Practice ("SORP") "Financial Statements of Investment Trust
Companies and Venture Capital Trusts" issued by the AIC in November
2014 and updated in January 2017.
The accounting policies applied in the condensed set of
financial statements are set out in the Company's annual report for
the year ended 30 September 2016.
2 Return per ordinary share
Return per ordinary share attributable to ordinary shareholders
reflects the overall performance of the Company in the period. Net
revenue recognised in the first six months is not necessarily
indicative of the total likely to be received in the full
accounting year.
Half-year Half-year ended
ended 31 March 2016
31 March 2017 GBP'000s
GBP'000s
---------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Revenue return 5,004 5,101
Capital return 22,330 6,200
---------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Total return 27,334 11,301
---------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
Number Number
Weighted average ordinary shares
in issue 97,453,499 95,227,028
Total return per share 28.04p 11.87p
---------------------------------- --------------- ----------------
3 Dividend
The second interim dividend in respect of the year ending 30
September 2017 of 2.40p per share will be paid on 30 June 2017 to
shareholders registered on 2 June 2017. The total cost of this
dividend, based on 97,934,268 shares in issue and entitled to the
dividend on 16 May 2017 is GBP2,350,000.
4 Results
The results for the half-year ended 31 March 2017 and 31 March
2016, which are unaudited, constitute non-statutory accounts within
the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The latest
published accounts which have been delivered to the Registrar of
Companies are for the year ended 30 September 2016; the report of
the independent auditors thereon was unqualified and did not
contain a statement under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.
The abridged financial statements shown above for the year ended 30
September 2016 are an extract from those accounts.
5 Going concern
The Company's investment objective, strategy and policy are
subject to a process of regular Board monitoring and are designed
to ensure that the Company is invested mainly in readily
realisable, listed securities and that the level of borrowings is
restricted. The Company retains title to all assets held by the
Custodian and an agreement covers its borrowing facility. Cash is
held with banks approved and regularly reviewed by the Manager and
the Board.
The Directors believe that: the Company's objective and policy
continue to be relevant to investors; the Company operates within a
robust regulatory environment; and the Company has sufficient
resources and arrangements to continue operating within its stated
policy for the 12 month period commencing from the date of this
report. Accordingly, the financial statements have been drawn up on
the basis that the Company is a going concern.
6 VAT case
The Company reported in its annual report and accounts to 30
September 2016, an interest in a case brought against HMRC to
recover VAT paid on management fees in the period 1997 to 2000. On
11 April 2017, the Supreme Court issued a judgement in favour of
HMRC. As a consequence, neither the Company nor its subsidiary in
liquidation, F&C Income Growth Investment Trust plc, will be
entitled to any recoveries of VAT paid in the relevant period.
7 Half-yearly report and accounts
The half-yearly report and accounts will be posted to
shareholders and made available on the internet at www.fandccit.com
shortly. Copies may be obtained during normal business hours from
the Company's Registered Office, Exchange House, Primrose Street,
London EC2A 2NY.
By order of the Board
F&C Investment Business Limited, Secretary
Exchange House, Primrose Street, London EC2A 2NY
22 May 2017
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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