TIDMLIV
RNS Number : 0053L
Livermore Investments Group Limited
28 September 2016
28 September, 2016
LIVERMORE INVESTMENTS GROUP LIMITED
UNAUDITED INTERIM RESULTS FOR SIX MONTHSED 30 JUNE 2016
Livermore Investments Group Limited (the "Company" or
"Livermore") today announces its interim results for the six months
ended 30 June 2016.
For further investor information please go to
www.livermore-inv.com.
Enquiries:
Livermore Investments Group Limited +41 43 344 3200
Arden Partners plc +44 (0)20 7614 5917
Steve Douglas
Patrick Caulfield
Chairman's and Chief Executive's Review
Introduction
We are pleased to announce the interim consolidated financial
results for Livermore Investments Group Limited (the "Company" or
"Livermore") and its subsidiaries (together the "Group") for the
six months ended 30 June 2016.
During the first half of 2016, the Group generated net income of
USD 6.18m (30 June 2015: USD 1.96m), which represents earnings per
share of USD 0.03 (30 June 2014: USD 0.01). The NAV of the Group as
of 30 June 2016 was USD 0.86 per share. During the reporting
period, management continued to actively manage the financial
portfolio and optimized exposure to US credit markets, which
continues to provide attractive risk adjusted returns.
Wyler Park, our investment property in Bern, Switzerland
performed well, generating over CHF 2.7m in rent during the period.
The property is fully rented. Valuation of Wyler Park has remained
stable.
Financial Review
The NAV of the Group as at 30 June 2016 was USD 150.2m (30 June
2015: 157.8m). The profit after tax for the first half of 2016 was
USD 6.18m, which represents earnings per share of USD 0.03. The
performance relates largely to the CLO portfolio and net income
from Wyler Park offset by write downs on certain investments.
30 June 2016 30 June 2015 31 December 2015
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
US $m US $m US $m
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Shareholders' funds at beginning of period 148.6 160.0 160.0
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
___________ ___________ ___________
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Income from investments 15.5 14.6 30.9
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Other income - - 0.1
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Realised losses on investments (0.7) (0.5) (2.4)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Loss on impairment on investments (7.6) (10.8) (31.7)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Unrealised gains on investments 3.9 0.7 8.5
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Unrealised exchange gains / (losses) 0.4 0.5 (0.4)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Administration costs (2.0) (1.9) (5.2)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Net finance costs 0.4 0.4 (2.5)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Tax charge (0.4) (0.2) (1.9)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
___________ ___________ ___________
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Increase / (decrease) in net assets from operations 9.5 2.8 (4.6)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Purchase of own shares (7.9) - (1.5)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Dividends paid - (5.0) (5.0)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Adjustments for share option expiry - - (0.3)
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
___________ ___________ ___________
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Shareholders' funds at end of period 150.2 157.8 148.6
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
------ ------ ------
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Net Asset Value per share US $0.86 US $0.81 US $0.77
----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- -----------------
Livermore's Strategy
The financial portfolio is focused on fixed income instruments
which generate regular cash flows and include exposure mainly to
senior secured and usually broadly syndicated US loans and to a
limited extent emerging market debt through investments in CLOs.
This part of the portfolio is geographically focused on the US.
The remaining portfolio is focused on Switzerland and Asia with
investments primarily in real estate and selected private equity
opportunities. Investments are focused on sectors that Management
believes will provide robust growth over the mid to long term with
strong current cash flows.
Strong emphasis is given to maintaining sufficient liquidity and
low leverage at the overall portfolio level and to re-invest in
existing and new investments along the economic cycle.
Repurchase of shares
Between 31 December 2015 and 30 June 2016, the Company
repurchased 17,475,585 shares at an average price of USD 0.45
(GBP0.34) per share. On 30 June 2016, the Company held 129,306,403
shares in treasury. No additional shares were purchased between 30
June 2016 and before the beginning of the interim closed
period.
Dividends
No dividends are declared for the period ended 30 June 2016.
The Board of Directors will decide on the Company's dividend
policy for 2016 based on profitability, liquidity requirements,
portfolio performance, market conditions, and the share price of
the Group relative to its NAV.
Richard Rosenberg Noam Lanir
Chairman Chief Executive
27 September 2016
Review of Activities
Economic & Investment Environment
Global economic growth at the beginning of 2016 was weaker than
expected. Global trade and manufacturing remained sluggish
contributing to a further drop in oil prices. Contrary to
expectations, low oil prices so far provided only a modest stimulus
to household consumer spending in most countries. Growth prospects
worsened in oil producing countries, including the US. Financial
markets experienced significant volatility and risky assets
declined in value as investors weighed probability of an economic
downturn at the same time as the US Federal Reserve indicated
raising interest rates. The turbulence in financial markets
subsided in late February as central banks in developed economies
pledged additional monetary easing and the US Federal Reserve
dialled back interest rate increase expectations. While still
anaemic, global economic activity eventually stabilized and
continued to grow moderately in the second quarter of 2016.
Financial markets recovered significantly and risk-premia
compressed as the European Central Bank (ECB) announced its
corporate sector purchase programme.
US GDP increased at an annual rate of 1.1% in the second quarter
after a growth of 0.8% in the first quarter. Private consumption
temporarily slowed, despite higher levels of disposable income.
Investment in fixed assets receded and further investment cuts in
the energy sector due to the low oil price had a particularly
dampening effect. Labour market conditions in the US, however,
continued to improve with the unemployment rate at 4.9% as of June
2016, although the pace of improvement has declined as the economy
reaches closer to full employment. While labour compensation has
shown some tentative signs of acceleration, wage inflation
continues to stay low given lacklustre productivity growth and some
remaining slack in the labour market. Overall inflation also stayed
low on account of higher US Dollar and low commodity prices.
The economic recovery in the euro area continued, driven by
domestic demand, while foreign demand growth remained weak.
Domestic demand was supported by monetary policy measures. Their
favourable impact on financing conditions, together with
improvements in corporate profitability, benefitted investment.
Inflation in the euro area remained low with little wage pressures
and low oil and commodity prices. Despite the accommodative
monetary policy stance, economic recovery in the euro area is still
dampened by ongoing balance sheet adjustments in a number of
sectors, the insufficient pace of implementation of structural
reforms in some countries and subdued growth prospects in emerging
markets. The risks to the euro area growth outlook remain tilted to
the downside, especially after the UK's decision to leave the euro
zone.
Global financial markets experienced significant volatility and
price declines at the beginning of the year as they digested the
first US interest rate increase since the financial crisis and
guidance of another four increases in 2016 in parallel with growing
concerns about the global economy, The S&P 500 Index fell 10.5%
and the EuroStoxx 50 Index declined by 18% from the start of the
year to mid-February. US high yield markets continued to widen out
as defaults from the energy sector increased with falling oil
prices and fears of a spill-over in the other sectors took hold.
Global central banks pledged additional monetary policy easing to
stabilize financial markets with the European Central Bank's
corporate sector purchase programme leading the way. The US Federal
Reserve also ratcheted back their rate increase expectations and
several developed market central banks delved further into negative
interest rate territory. The financial markets recovered
subsequently with the S&P 500 Index rising over 14% and the
EuroStoxx 50 Index increasing by 6.8% by the end of June 2016. US
credit markets also recovered sharply as fixed income investors
facing over 10 trillion dollars of negative interest rate sovereign
bonds were forced to look for yield elsewhere. Oil and other
commodity prices also increased on the back of stable data from
China and the positive sentiment in financial markets.
High yield and leveraged loans markets continued to experience
high volatility as the spectre of higher US interest rates and
exposure to energy and commodity issuers dampened investor
sentiment. From the start of the year to the trough, the
S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index was down 1.5% but recovered
sharply as global downturn fears subsided and risk-adjusted returns
became quite attractive. From the trough to the end of June, the
S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index returned 6.1%. During the first
six months of the year, new issue US leveraged loan volume
decreased to USD 128.1 billion from USD 141.2 billion a year
earlier. Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLOs) issuance was
markedly muted in the first half of the year with total issuance of
USD 26.2 billion versus USD 59.9 billion for the same period last
year.
Sources: Swiss National Bank (SNB), European Central Bank (ECB),
US Federal Reserve, Bloomberg, JP Morgan
Review of Significant Investments
Name Book Value
US $m
-------------------- ------------
Wyler Park* 48.7
-------------------- ------------
SRS Charminar 5.8
-------------------- ------------
Other Real Estate
Assets 1.3
-------------------- ------------
Total 55.8
-------------------- ------------
* Net of related loan.
Wyler Park - Switzerland
Wyler Park is a top quality mixed-use property located in Bern,
Switzerland. It has over 16,800 square meters of commercial area,
4,100 square meters of residential area, and another 7,100 square
meters available for additional commercial development. The
commercial part is leased until 2029 to SBB (AAA rated), the Swiss
national train transportation authority wholly owned by the Swiss
Confederation, and serves as the headquarters of their Passenger
Traffic division. The commercial lease is 100% linked to inflation.
The annual rental income from the commercial area of the project is
CHF 4.36m (USD 4.43m).
The entire residential property remains fully rented. The annual
rental income expected from the residential area is CHF 1.04m (USD
1.06m).
The property generated rent of CHF 2.70m (USD 2.74m) during the
first half of 2016.
Livermore is the sole owner of Wyler Park through its wholly
owned Swiss subsidiary, Livermore Investments AG. The outstanding
principal of the loan facility is CHF 75.9m (USD 77.6m). The
facility is committed until at least 30 June 2019. The loan is a
non-recourse loan to Livermore Investments AG backed only by this
property.
Management continues to evaluate the potential development of
the additional commercial development rights of 7,100 square meters
attached to the property.
SRS Charminar - India
Livermore invested USD 20m in 2008 in a leading Indian Real
Estate company, in association with SRS Private and other investors
as part of a total investment of USD 132.1m. In 2009, the promoters
of the investee company were arrested on charges of criminal
conspiracy, cheating, and misappropriation of funds. Later it was
discovered that the investee company had breached the terms of the
investment agreement resulting in a default. On 13 January 2011 the
Company Law Board ("CLB") passed an order and allowed
Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited
("IL&FS") to become an 80% shareholder and control the
management of the investee company. SRS Charminar and other
investors have agreed to a settlement with IL&FS wherein the
settlement amount will be paid in four tranches over five years. In
2015, Livermore received the first tranche in the amount of USD
2.9m and the second tranche is expected later in 2016. While the
third and fourth tranches are scheduled to be paid in 2019, it is
anticipated to be rescheduled given delays in the project
underlying the third tranche.
The carrying amount of the investment is based on discounted
expected cash flows and as of period-end was USD 5.8m (December
2015: USD 7.1m).
Financial Portfolio and trading activity
The Group manages a financial portfolio valued at USD 91.1m (net
of leverage) as at 30 June 2016, which is invested mainly in US
credit and fixed income securities.
The following is a table summarizing the financial portfolio as
at 30 June 2016
Name 30 June 30 June 31 December 2015
2016 2015 Book Value US
Book Value Book Value $m
US $m US $m
------------------- ------------- ----------- ----------------
Investment in
the loan market
through CLOs 78.9 73.9 66.0
------------------- ------------- ----------- ----------------
Fixed income
investment 6.1 - 5.0
------------------- ------------- ----------- ----------------
Babylon 1.1 1.0 0.9
------------------- ------------- ----------- ----------------
Corporate Bonds 1.1 1.7 1.8
------------------- ------------- ----------- ----------------
Hedge Funds 1.1 1.1 1.0
------------------- ------------- ----------- ----------------
Other Public
Equities 1.7 1.8 2.0
------------------- ------------- ----------- ----------------
Total 90.0 79.5 76.7
------------------- ------------- ----------- ----------------
Total net of
leverage 91.1* 90.4** 90.3*
------------------- ------------- ----------- ----------------
*this figure includes USD 6m (December 2015: USD 5m) which the
Company invested during the period in the first loss tranche of a
warehouse facility for accumulating loans with the intention to
transfer these loans to a CLO.
** this figure includes USD 11.3m which the Company invested
during the period in the first loss tranche of warehouse facilities
for accumulating loans with the intention to transfer these loans
to a CLO.
Senior Secured Loans and CLOs:
The US senior secured loan market continued to offer good risk
adjusted returns as a floating rate asset class with a senior
secured claim on the borrower and with overall low volatility and
low correlation to the equity market. CLOs are managed portfolios
invested into diversified pools of senior secured loans and
financed with long term financing pre-fixed at the time of
issuance.
Continuing from late last year, the high yield and leveraged
loan market declined further in the first few weeks of the year but
recovered sharply with the S&P/LSTA Leveraged Loan Index
generating a total return of 4.5% for the first half of the year.
As at the end of June 2016, the US loan market twelve month rolling
default rate by principal amount was 1.97%. Default rates are
expected to stay below average in the near future with the
exception of the commodity related sector.
After very high levels of US CLO new issue volume in 2015,
issuance was muted in the first quarter but picked up a steady
state in the second quarter as cost of debt tranches declined with
the rally in credit and equity markets. In line with broader
markets, CLO equity tranche prices also declined further in the
first quarter but rebounded significantly as new funds were raised
to capture the price dislocation and investors reassessed the
credit environment in the US. Despite the mark-to-market volatility
on CLO equity tranches, cash flows to the equity tranche have
remained strong.
During the reporting period the Group's US CLO portfolio
performed well as cash flows remained strong and the Group took
advantage of low prices for strongly performing CLO equity and
added positions from the secondary market. In addition, the Group
converted its warehouse into a CLO and generated a 23% cash return
during the 10 month warehousing period. During the period, the CLO
portfolio generated USD 12.9m in cash distributions, as well as
earning USD 1.06m on warehousing facilities. Cash payments to CLO
equity remained strong and CLO managers used volatility in the loan
market to increase portfolio spreads. As at 30 June 2016, over 85%
of the Group's CLO portfolio is invested in post-crisis CLOs.
As few loans mature in the near term and the US economy
continues to grow, corporate defaults are expected to remain below
average with the exception of certain energy related companies.
Management believes that the environment should remain attractive
for investments in CLO equity. In the first half of 2016, Livermore
priced one new issue cash-flow CLO as an anchor investor.
While management maintains a positive view on the CLO portfolio,
mid-long term performance may be negatively impacted by a strong
pull back in the US or European economy or geo-political events
that could result in a spike in defaults. Despite positive
developments in the overall health of the US economy, we
acknowledge the continued below trend growth globally as well as
headwinds relating to the potential monetary tightening in the US,
weak commodity markets and geopolitical risks.
The Group's CLO portfolio is divided into the following
geographical areas:
30 Percentage 31 June Percentage
June 2015
2016 Amount
Amount
US US $000
$000
US CLOs 74,752 94.7% 63,556 86.0%
Global Credit
CLOs 3,436 4.4% 9,124 12.3%
European
CLOs 688 0.9% 1,234 1.7%
------ ------ ------ ------
78,876 100% 73,914 100%
------ ------ ------ ------
Private Equity Funds
The other private equity investments held by the Group are
incorporated in the form of Managed Funds (mostly closed end funds)
mainly in emerging economies. The investments of these funds into
their portfolio companies were mostly done in 2008 and 2009.
Overall, during the first half of 2016 the investment environment
relating to most funds was challenging and the Group expects that
exits of portfolio companies should materialize between 2017 and
2020.
The following summarizes the book value of the private equity
funds as at 30 June 2016:
Name Book Value
US $m
----------------------- ------------
Evolution Venture
(Israel) 1.9
----------------------- ------------
SRS Private (India) 1.6
----------------------- ------------
Elephant Capital
(India) 0.7
----------------------- ------------
India Blue Mountains
(India) 0.7
----------------------- ------------
Panda Capital
(China) 0.3
----------------------- ------------
Da Vinci (Russia) 0.3
----------------------- ------------
Blue Ridge (China) -
----------------------- ------------
Other investments 1.0
----------------------- ------------
Total 6.5
----------------------- ------------
Evolution Venture: Evolution is an Israel focused venture
capital fund. It invests in early stage technology companies. Its
investments include a carrier-class Mobile Broadband Wireless (MBW)
Wi-Fi solutions company, Whitesmoke Software Ltd (a Tel-Aviv listed
language enhancement products company), a software company
operating in the digital radio market, a software test tool
developer, and a virtualization technology company. The Wi-Fi
solutions company is not doing well and needs additional capital
which the fund will not be able to provide. The language
enhancements product company and the virtualization technology
company have been performing well.
SRS Private: SRS Private is a private equity fund focused on
real estate in India. The fund has invested in residential and
commercial projects as well as directly in certain real estate
companies. The assets are primarily located in and around major
cities of India such as Mumbai and Hyderabad. In the last twelve
months, the fund has distributed USD 0.22m to Livermore. Further
distributions are expected in 2017 from two of its investments.
Remaining proceeds from the partial sale of their IT project in
Mumbai is expected to be delayed due to financial condition of the
buyer.
Elephant Capital: India-focused private equity fund, which is
AIM quoted (Ticker: ECAP). During the period, the fund delisted
from the LSE/AIM market in order to reduce costs given the small
size of the remaining fund. Livermore owns 9.9% of the delisted
fund. As of 28 February 2016, the fund reported an unaudited NAV of
34 pence per share.
India Blue Mountains: India Blue Mountains was a hotel and
hospitality development fund that has been reorganized into three
separate companies each holding a hotel development in India in
Mumbai, Pune and Goa. Once developed, all hotels will be managed by
the Accor Group (Novotel brands). Accor has also invested equity
and holds a 26% stake in all of the hotels. The Pune hotel is now
operational.
Panda Capital: Panda Capital is a China-based private equity
fund focused on early-stage industrial operations in China. The
fund's main investment is in a bamboo flooring company in China,
which provides an innovative low cost alternative to hardwood
flooring in shipping containers. The manager is in the process of
building up operational capacity for product manufacturing.
Da Vinci: The fund is primarily focused on Russia and CIS
countries and is primarily invested in the Moscow Exchange and a
Ukrainian coal company. The Moscow Exchange continues to perform
well in local currency terms. The coal company is located in
Western Ukraine. The Group's investment in the fund was valued at
USD 0.3m as of 30 June 2016.
The following table reconciles the review of activities to the
Group's financial assets and investment property as at 30 June
2016.
Name 30 June
2016
Book Value
US $m
-------------------------- -------------
Significant investments 55.8
-------------------------- -------------
Financial portfolio 90.0
-------------------------- -------------
Private Equity Funds 6.5
-------------------------- -------------
Total 152.3
-------------------------- -------------
Available-for sale
financial assets
(note 4) 93.2
-------------------------- -------------
Financial assets
at fair value through
profit or loss (note
5) 10.4
-------------------------- -------------
Net Investment property
(notes 8/16) 48.7
-------------------------- -------------
Total 152.3
-------------------------- -------------
Events after the reporting date
Events after the reporting date are described in note 30 to the
interim consolidated financial statements.
Litigation
Information is provided in note 28 to the interim condensed
consolidated financial statements.
Livermore Investments Group Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
as at 30 June 2016
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Note Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Assets
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 23 37 26
Available-for-sale financial assets 4 91,023 89,367 78,464
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 5 1,618 1,518 1,533
Investment property 8 126,185 123,812 123,324
Investments in associate and joint venture 9 - 3,750 -
Other assets 11 564 1,692 1,128
-------- -------- --------
219,413 220,176 204,475
-------- -------- --------
Current assets
Trade and other receivables 11 4,201 12,823 4,490
Available-for-sale financial assets 4 2,215 2,247 2,683
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 5 8,805 3,772 8,268
Current tax asset 4 9 6
Derivative financial instruments 15 - 192 -
Cash at bank 12 13,201 12,340 25,770
-------- -------- --------
28,426 31,383 41,217
-------- -------- --------
Total assets 247,839 251,559 245,692
-------- -------- --------
Equity
Share capital 13 - - -
Share premium and treasury shares 13 169,187 178,597 177,053
Other reserves 5,911 3,839 2,631
Retained earnings (24,864) (24,599) (31,047)
-------- -------- --------
Total equity 150,234 157,837 148,637
-------- -------- --------
Liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Bank loans 16 75,956 67,511 75,003
Deferred tax 4,408 2,535 3,937
Provisions - - 385
-------- -------- --------
80,364 70,046 79,325
-------- -------- --------
Current liabilities
Bank loans 16 1,504 3,315 1,407
Bank overdrafts 12 14,247 18,817 13,208
Trade and other payables 17 937 1,544 2,770
Provisions 385 - 128
Derivative financial instruments 15 168 - 217
-------- -------- --------
17,241 23,676 17,730
-------- -------- --------
Total liabilities 97,605 93,722 97,055
-------- -------- --------
Total equity and liabilities 247,839 251,559 245,692
-------- -------- --------
Net asset valuation per share
Basic and diluted net asset valuation per share (US $) 18 0.86 0.81 0.77
-------- -------- --------
Livermore Investment Group Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Profit or Loss
for the six months ended 30 June 2016
---------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Note Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Investment Income
Interest and dividend income 20 12,930 11,850 25,675
Investment property income 21 2,580 2,738 5,227
Loss on investments 22 (7,360) (10,944) (26,136)
------ ------ ------
Gross profit 8,150 3,644 4,766
Other income - - 35
Administrative expenses 23 (2,004) (1,879) (5,155)
------ ------ ------
Operating profit / (loss) 6,146 1,765 (354)
Finance costs 24 (706) (1,276) (2,454)
Finance income 24 1,143 1,677 -
------ ------ ------
Profit / (loss) before taxation 6,583 2,166 (2,808)
Taxation charge (400) (206) (1,951)
------ ------ ------
Profit / (loss) for period / year 6,183 1,960 (4,759)
------ ------ ------
Earnings per share
Basic and diluted earnings per share (US $) 26 0.------03 0.------01 (0.02)
------ ------ ------
Livermore Investment Group Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
for the six months ended 30 June 2016
Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Profit / (loss) for the period / year 6,183 1,960 (4,759)
Other comprehensive income:
Items that will be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss
* Available for sale financial assets - fair value
losses (4,749) (11,032) (34,906)
* Foreign exchange gains / (losses) from translation of
subsidiaries 403 529 (314)
------ ------ ------
1,837 (8,543) (39,979)
------ ------ ------
Reclassification to profit or loss
Available for sale financial assets
* Reclassification to profit or loss due to disposals - 577 3,459
* Reclassification to profit or loss due to impairment 7,626 10.828 31,726
------ ------ ------
7,626 11,405 35,185
------ ------ ------
Total comprehensive income / (loss) for the period / year 9,463 2,862 (4,794)
------ ------ ------
The total comprehensive income for the period is wholly
attributable to the owners of the parent company.
Livermore Investments Group Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the period ended 30 June 2016
Note Share Share Treasury Share Translation Investment Retained Total
capital premium Shares option reserve revaluation earnings
reserve reserve
US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000
Balance at 1 January 2015 - 215,499 (36,902) 5,777 (1,414) (1,426) (21,560) 159,974
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Purchase of own shares - - (1,544) - - - - (1,544)
Dividends - - - - - - (4,999) (4,999)
Transfer on expiry of options - - - (271) - - 271 -
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Transactions with owners - - (1,544) (271) - - (4,728) (6,543)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Loss for the year - - - - - (4,759) (4,759)
Other comprehensive income:
Available-for-sale financial assets
* Fair value losses - - - - - (34,906) - (34,906)
* Reclassification to profit or loss due to disposals - - - - - 3,459 - 3,459
* Reclassification to profit or loss due to impairment - - - - - 31,726 - 31,726
Foreign exchange loss arising from translation of subsidiaries - - - - (314) - - (314)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ -----
Total comprehensive income for the year - - - - (314) 279 (4,759) (4,794)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Balance at 31 December 2015 - 215,499 (38,446) 5,506 (1,728) (1,147) (31,047) 148,637
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Purchase of own shares - - (7,866) - - - - (7,866)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Transactions with owners - - (7,866) - - - - (7,866)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Profit for the period - - - - - - 6,183 6,183
Other comprehensive income:
Available-for-sale financial assets
* Fair value losses - - - - - (4,749) - (4,749)
* Reclassification to profit or loss due to impairment - - - - - 7,626 - 7,626
Foreign exchange gain arising from translation of subsidiaries - - - - 403 - - 403
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total comprehensive income for the period - - - - 403 2,877 6,183 9,463
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Balance at 30 June 2016 - 215,499 (46,312) 5,506 (1,325) 1,730 (24,864) 150,234
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Comparative period Share Share Treasury Share Translation Investment Retained Total
capital premium Shares option reserve revaluation earnings
Note reserve reserve
US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000
Balance at 1 January 2015 - 215,499 (36,902) 5,777 (1,414) (1,426) (21,560) 159,974
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Dividends - - - - - - (4,999) (4,999)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Transactions with owners - - - - - - (4,999) (4,999)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Profit for the period - - - - - - 1,960 1,960
Other comprehensive income:
Available-for-sale financial assets
* Fair value losses - - - - - (11,032) - (11,032)
* Reclassification to profit or loss due to disposal - - - - - 577 - 577
* Reclassification to profit or loss due to impairment - - - - - 10,828 - 10,828
Foreign exchange gain arising from translation of subsidiaries - - - - 529 - - 529
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total comprehensive income for the period - - - - 529 373 1,960 2,862
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Balance at 30 June 2015 - 215,499 (36,902) 5,777 (885) (1,053) (24,599) 157,837
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Livermore Investments Group Limited
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the period ended 30 June 2016
Note Six months Six months Year
ended ended ended
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit / (loss) before tax 6,583 2,166 (2,808)
Adjustments for:
Depreciation expense 23 3 4 16
Provision charge - - 513
Interest expense 24 706 808 1,607
Interest and dividend income 20 (12,930) (11,850) (25,675)
Loss on investments 22 7,360 10,944 26,136
Exchange differences (1,143) (1,390) 723
------ ------ ------
579 682 512
Changes in working capital
Decrease in trade and other receivables 583 9,271 17,164
Decrease in trade and other payables (1,839) (162) 959
------ ------ ------
Cash flows from operations (677) 9,791 18,635
Interest and dividend received 13,169 11,197 25,969
Settlement of litigation (128) - -
Tax paid (16) (13) (216)
------ ------ ------
Net cash generated from operating activities 12,348 20,975 44,388
------ ------ ------
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of investments (16,841) (11,118) (32,415)
Addition to investment property (102) - -
Proceeds from sale of investments 500 10,743 13,679
Settlement of derivative (743) 1,332 2,332
Acquisition of associate 9 - (3,750) (7,500)
Capital return of associate - - 8,183
------ ------ ------
Net cash from investing activities (17,186) (2,793) (15,721)
------ ------ ------
Cash flows from financing activities
Purchases of own shares (7,866) - (1,544)
Proceeds from bank loans - 72,430 78,610
Repayment of bank loans (768) (84,520) (79,751)
Interest paid (717) (870) (1,731)
Dividends paid - (4,999) (4,999)
------ ------ ------
Net cash from financing activities (9,351) (17,959) (9,415)
------ ------ ------
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and cash equivalents (14,189) 223 19,252
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period / year 12,562 (6,548) (6,548)
Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents 564 (181) (124)
Translation differences on foreign operations' cash and cash equivalents 17 29 (18)
------ ------ ------
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period / year 12 (1,046) (6,477) 12,562
------ ------ ------
Notes to the Financial Statements
1. Accounting policies
The interim condensed consolidated financial statements of
Livermore have been prepared on the basis of the accounting
policies and basis of consolidation stated in the 2015 Annual
Report, available on www.livermore-inv.com. The application of the
IFRS pronouncements that became effective as of 1 January 2016 has
no significant impact on the Group's consolidated financial
statements.
2. Critical accounting judgements and estimation uncertainty
When preparing the interim condensed consolidated financial
statements, management undertakes a number of judgements, estimates
and assumptions about recognition and measurement of assets,
liabilities, income and expenses. The actual results may differ
from the judgements, estimates and assumptions made by management,
and will seldom equal the estimated results. The judgements,
estimates and assumptions applied in the interim condensed
consolidated financial statements, including the key sources of
estimation uncertainty were the same as those applied in the
Group's last annual consolidated financial statements for the year
ended 31 December 2015. The only exception is the estimate of the
provision for income taxes which is determined in the interim
financial statements using the estimated average annual effective
income tax rate applied to the pre-tax income of the interim
period.
3. Basis of preparation
These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial
statements are for the six months ended 30 June 2016. They have
been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 "Interim Financial
Reporting" as adopted by the European Union. They do not include
all of the information required for full annual consolidated
financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the
consolidated financial statements of the Group for the year ended
31 December 2015.
The financial information for the year ended 31 December 2015 is
extracted from the Company's consolidated financial statements for
the year ended 31 December 2015 which contained an unqualified
audit report.
4. Available-for-sale financial assets
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Non-current assets
Fixed income investments 78,876 73,914 65,946
Private equities 6,220 6,187 5,295
Financial and minority holdings 5,927 9,266 7,223
------ ------ ------
91,023 89,367 78,464
------ ------ ------
Current assets
Public equities investments 1,191 1,156 1,619
Hedge funds 1,024 1,091 1,064
------ ------ ------
2,215 2,247 2,683
------ ------ ------
For description of each of the above categories, refer to note
6.
The Group treats its investments in the loan market through CLOs
as non-current investments as the Group generally intends to hold
such investments over a longer period.
During the six months ended 30 June 2016, due to market
conditions, management considered the impairment of certain
available-for-sale financial assets. Impairment testing indicated
that for those financial assets their carrying amount may not be
recoverable.
The related impairment charges for the six months ended 30 June
2016, of USD 7.626m (June 2015: USD 10.828m, December 2015: USD
31.726m), are included within loss on investments (note 22), and
represent impairment losses arising due to:
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Significant fall in value 2,406 2,175 11,119
Prolonged fall in value - 3,560 1,490
Significant and prolonged fall in value 5,220 5,093 19,117
------ ------ ------
7,626 10,828 31,726
------ ------ ------
5. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2014
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Non-current assets
Private equities 330 330 330
Real estate entities 1,288 1,188 1,203
------ ------ ------
1,618 1,518 1,533
------ ------ ------
Current assets
Fixed income investments 7,165 1,649 6,655
Public equity investments 1,640 2,080 1,613
Hedge funds - 43 -
------ ------ ------
8,805 3,772 8,268
------ ------ ------
For description of each of the above categories, refer to note
6.
6. Financial assets at fair value
The Group allocates its non-derivative financial assets at fair
value (notes 4 and 5) as follows:
-- Fixed income investments relate to fixed and floating rate
bonds, perpetual bank debt, and investments in the loan market
through CLOs.
-- Private equities relate to investments in both high growth
opportunities in emerging markets and deep value opportunities in
mature markets. The company generally invests directly in prospects
where it can exert significant influence.
-- Financial and minority holdings relate to significant
investments (of over USD 5m) which are strategic for the Company
and are done in the form of equity purchases or convertible loans.
Main investments under this category are in the fields of real
estate.
-- Hedge funds relate to investments in funds managed by
sophisticated investment managers that pursue investment strategies
with the goal of generating absolute returns.
-- Public equity investments relate to investments in shares of
companies listed on public stock exchanges.
-- Real estate entities relate to investments in real estate projects.
7. Fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities
The following table presents financial assets measured at fair
value in the consolidated statement of financial position in
accordance with the fair value hierarchy. This 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 that the entity can access at the
measurement date;
- Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included within Level
1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly
or indirectly; and
- Level 3: unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
Valuation of financial assets and liabilities
-- Fixed Income Investments, and Public Equity Investments are
valued per their closing market prices on quoted exchanges, or as
quoted by market maker. Investments in open warehouse facilities
that have not yet been converted to CLOs, are valued based on an
adjusted net asset valuation.
The Group values the CLOs based on the valuation reports
provided by market makers. CLOs are typically valued by market
makers using discounted cash flow models. The key assumptions for
cash flow projections include default and recovery rates,
prepayment rates and reinvestment assumptions on the underlying
portfolios (typically senior secured loans) of the CLOs.
Default and recovery rates: The amount and timing of defaults in
the underlying collateral and the amount and timing of recovery
upon a default affect are key to the future cash flows a CLO will
distribute to the CLO equity tranche. All else equal, higher
default rates and lower recovery rates typically lead to lower cash
flows. Conversely, lower default rates and higher recoveries lead
to higher cash flows.
Prepayment rates: Senior loans can be pre-paid by borrowers.
CLOs that are within their reinvestment period may, subject to
certain conditions, reinvest such prepayments into other loans
which may have different spreads and maturities. CLOs that are
beyond their reinvestment period typically pay down their senior
liabilities from proceeds of such pre-payments. Therefore the rate
at which the underlying collateral prepays impacts the future cash
flows that the CLO may generate.
Reinvestment assumptions: A CLO within its reinvestment period
may reinvest proceeds from loan maturities, prepayments, and
recoveries into purchasing additional loans. The reinvestment
assumptions define the characteristics of the loans that a CLO may
reinvest in. These assumptions include the spreads, maturities, and
prices of such loans. Reinvestment into loans with higher spreads
and lower prices will lead to higher cash flows. Reinvestment into
loans with lower spreads will typically lead to lower cash
flows.
Discount rate: The discount rate indicates the yield that market
participants expect to receive and is used to discount the
projected future cash flows. Higher yield expectations or discount
rates lead to lower prices and lower discount rates lead to higher
prices for CLOs.
-- Private Equities are valued using market valuation techniques
as determined by the Directors, mainly on the basis of discounted
cash flow techniques or valuations reported by third-party managers
of such investments.
-- Financial and Minority holdings are valued using market
valuation techniques as determined by the Directors, mainly on the
basis of discounted cash flow techniques or valuations reported by
third-party managers of such investments.
-- Hedge Funds are valued per reports provided by the funds on a
periodic basis, and if traded, per their closing bid market prices
on quoted exchanges, or as quoted by market maker.
-- Real Estates entities are valued by independent qualified
property valuers with substantial relevant experience on such
investments. Underlying property values are determined based on
their estimated market values.
-- Derivative instruments are valued at fair value as provided
by counter parties (banks) of the derivative agreement.
Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair
value in the consolidated statement of financial position are
grouped into the fair value hierarchy as follows:
30 June 2016 Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited
US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000
Level Level Level Total
1 2 3
Assets
Fixed income investments 1,103 78,876 6,062 86,041
Private equities - - 6,550 6,550
Financial and minority
holdings - - 5,927 5,927
Public equity investments 2,831 - - 2,831
Hedge funds - 1,024 - 1,024
Real estate entities - - 1,288 1,288
------ ------ ------ ------
3,934 79,900 19,827 103,661
------ ------ ------ ------
Liabilities
Forward contract - 168 - 168
------ ------ ------ ------
- 168 - 168
------ ------ ------ ------
30 June 2015 Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited Unaudited
US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000
Level Level Level Total
1 2 3
Assets
Fixed income investments 1,648 73,914 - 75,562
Private equities - - 6,517 6,517
Financial and minority
holdings - - 9,266 9,266
Public equity investments 3,236 - - 3,236
Hedge funds - 1,134 - 1,134
Real estate entities - - 1,189 1,189
Forward contract - 192 - 192
Investment in associate 3,750 3,750
------ ------ ------ ------
4,884 78,990 16,972 100,846
------ ------ ------ ------
31 December 2015 Audited Audited Audited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000 US
$000
Level Level Level Total
1 2 3
Assets
Fixed income investments 1,634 65,946 5,021 72,601
Private equities - - 5,625 5,625
Financial and minority
holdings - - 7,223 7,223
Public equity investments 3,232 - - 3,232
Hedge funds - 1,064 - 1,064
Real estate entities - - 1,203 1,203
------ ------ ------ ------
4,866 67,010 19,072 90,948
------ ------ ------ ------
Liabilities
Forward contract - 217 - 217
------ ------ ------ ------
- 217 - 217
------ ------ ------ ------
The methods and valuation techniques used for the purpose of
measuring fair value are unchanged compared to the previous
reporting period.
No financial assets or liabilities have been transferred between
levels.
Financial assets within level 3 can be reconciled from beginning
to ending balances as follows:
Available-for-sale At fair value through
profit or loss
Financial Private Real Private Fixed
and minority equities estate equities Income
holdings investments Total
US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000
As at 1 January
2016 7,223 5,295 1,203 330 5,021 19,072
Transfer - 369 - - - 369
Gains recognised
in:
-Profit or loss (1,296) (79) - - 1,041 (334)
-Other comprehensive
income - 635 - - - 635
Exchange difference - - 85 - - 85
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
As at 30 June
2016 5,927 6,220 1,288 330 6,062 19,827
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Available-for-sale At fair value Derivative
through profit financial
or loss instruments
Financial Private Real Private Total
and minority equities estate equities return
holdings swap Total
US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000
As at 1 January
2015 9,266 7,891 1,476 330 1,125 20,088
Purchases - - - - - -
Settlement - - - - (1,332) (1,332)
(Losses) / gains
recognised in:
-Profit or loss (890) 207 (683)
-Other comprehensive
income - (814) - - - (814)
Exchange difference - - (287) - - (287)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
As at 30 June
2015 9,266 6,187 1,189 330 - 16,972
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Available-for-sale At fair value through Derivative
profit or loss financial
instruments
Financial Private Real Private Fixed Total
and minority equities estate equities Income return
holdings investments swap Total
US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000
As at 1 January
2015 9,266 7,891 1,476 330 - 1,125 20,088
Purchases - - - - 5,000 - 5,000
Settlement (59) - - - (1,332) (1,391)
(Losses) / gains
recognised in:
-Profit or loss (2,043) (2,134) 104 - 21 207 (3,845)
-Other comprehensive
income - (403) - - - - (403)
Exchange difference - - (377) - - - (377)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
As at 31 December
2015 7,223 5,295 1,203 330 5,021 - 19,072
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
The above recognised gains / (losses) are allocated as
follows:
Available-for-sale At fair value
through profit
or loss
Financial Private Real Private Fixed
and minority equities estate equities Income
holdings investments Total
Six month ended US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000
30 June 2016
Profit or loss
-Financial assets
held at period-end (1,296) (79) - - 1,041 (334)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
(1,296) (79) - - 1,041 (334)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Other comprehensive
income
-Financial assets
held at period-end - 635 - - - 635
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- 635 - - - 635
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total gains for
period (1,296) 556 - - 1,041 301
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Available-for-sale At fair value Derivative
through profit financial
or loss instruments
Financial Private Real Private Total
and minority equities estate equities return
holdings swap Total
Six month ended US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000
30 June 2015
Profit or loss
-Financial assets
held at period-end - (890) - - 207 (683)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- (890) - - 207 (683)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Other comprehensive
income
-Financial assets
held at period-end - (814) - - - (814)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- (814) - - - (814)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total (losses)
/ gains for period - (1,704) - - 207 (1,497)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Available-for-sale At fair value through Derivative
profit or loss financial
instruments
Financial Private Real Private Fixed Total
and minority equities estate equities Income return
holdings investments swap Total
Year ended 31 December US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000 US $000
2015
Profit or loss
-Financial assets
held at period-end (2,043) (2,134) 104 - 21 - (4,052)
-Financial assets
not held at period-end - - - - - 207 207
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
(2,043) (2,134) 104 - 21 207 (3,845)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Other comprehensive
income
-Financial assets
held at period-end - (403) - - - - (403)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
- (403) - - - - (403)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
Total gains / (losses)
for year (2,043) (2,537) 104 - 21 207 (4,248)
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ------
The Group has not developed any quantitative unobservable inputs
for measuring the fair value of its level 3 financial assets at the
reporting date. Instead the Group used prices from third - party
pricing information without adjustment.
A reasonable change in any individual significant input used in
the level 3 valuations is not anticipated to have a significant
change in fair values as above.
8. Investment property
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Valuation as at 1 January 123,324 116,609 116,609
Fair value (loss) / gain - recognised in profit or loss (102) - 7,819
Additions 102 - -
Exchange differences 2,861 7,203 (1,104)
------ ------ ------
As at 30 June / 31 December 126,185 123,812 123,324
------ ------ ------
The investment property relates to Wyler Park property in Bern,
Switzerland, which is used for earning rental income. The Group has
no restrictions on the realisability of the property or the
remittance of income and any proceeds of disposals.
The investment property which is revalued at each year-end was
last valued by Wuest & Partners as at 31 December 2015 on the
basis of open market value (as disclosed in the 2015 annual report)
in accordance with the appraisal and valuation guidelines of the
Royal Institute of Certified Surveyors, and the European Group of
Valuers' Associations.
The Wyler Park property bank loan (note 16) is secured on the
property itself.
9. Investments in associate and joint venture
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
As at 1 January - - -
Additions - 3,750 7,500
Capital return - - (8,183)
Fair value gain - - 683
------ ------ ------
As at 30 June / 31 December - 3,750 -
------ ------ ------
Fair value
Name of Type of Place of Principal Proportion 30 June 30 June 31 December
investee investment incorporation activity of voting 2016 2015 2015
rights held Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Joint venture Cayman Islands Investment 50%
Silvermore holding
Ltd (dormant) - - -
Investment
Highbridge Associate Cayman Islands holding 25% - 3,750 -
----- ----- -----
- 3,750 -
------ ------ ------
During the year 2015, the Group invested in a 25% interest in
Highbridge Loan Management Warehouse 7-2015 Ltd (a company
incorporated in Cayman Islands), through its subsidiary Mountview
Holdings Ltd, until Highbridge was converted into a CLO. After the
conversion into a CLO the entity ceased to be an associate of the
Group.
10. Details of subsidiaries
Details of the investments in which the Group has a controlling
interest are as follows:
Name of Subsidiary Place Holding Proportion Principal activity
of incorporation of voting
rights
and shares
held
Livermore Properties British Ordinary 100% Holding of investments
Limited Virgin shares
Islands
Mountview Holdings British Ordinary 100% Investment vehicle
Limited Virgin shares
Islands
Sycamore Loan Cayman Ordinary 100% Investment vehicle
Strategies Ltd Islands shares
Sycamore Loan Cayman Ordinary 100% Investment vehicle
Funding Ltd Islands shares
Livermore Israel Israel Ordinary 100% Holding of investments
Investments shares
Ltd
Livermore Capital Switzerland Ordinary 100% Administration
AG shares services
Livermore Investments Switzerland Ordinary 100% Real Estate
AG* shares owner and management
Enaxor S.a.r.l Luxembourg Ordinary 100% Holding of investment
shares
Livermore Investments Cyprus Ordinary 100% Administration
Cyprus Limited shares services
Sandhirst Ltd* Cyprus Ordinary 100% Holding of investments
shares
* Held by Enaxor S.a.r.l.
Silvermore 2 Ltd was dissolved during the period.
11. Trade and other receivables
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Financial items
Accrued interest and dividend income 64 735 304
Amounts due by related parties (note 27) 2,527 2,512 2,514
Other receivables 349 8,340 272
------ ------ ------
2,940 11,587 3,090
Non-Financial items
Other assets (note 27) 1,692 2,820 2,256
Prepayments 133 108 272
------ ------ ------
4,765 14,515 5,618
------ ------ ------
Allocated as:
Current assets 4,201 12,823 4,490
Non-current assets (other assets - note 27) 564 1,692 1,128
------ ------ ------
4,765 14,515 5,618
------ ------ ------
12. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents included in the cash flow statement
comprise the following at the reporting date:
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Cash at bank 13,201 12,340 25,770
Bank overdraft used for cash management purposes (14,247) (18,817) (13,208)
------ ------ ------
Cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the consolidated statement of cash
flows (1,046) (6,477) 12,562
------ ------ ------
13. Share capital, share premium and treasury shares
Livermore Investments Group Limited (the "Company") is an
investment company incorporated under the laws of the British
Virgin Islands. The Company has an issued share capital of
304,120,401 ordinary shares with no par value.
The Company purchased an additional 17,475,585 ordinary shares
at an average price of USD 0.45 (GBP0.34) per share to be held in
treasury during the period. As at 30 June 2016 the Company had
129,306,403 ordinary shares held in treasury.
In the consolidated statement of financial position the amount
included comprises of:
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Share premium 215,499 215,499 215,499
Treasury shares (46,312) (36,902) (38,446)
------ ------ ------
169,187 178,597 177,053
------ ------ ------
14. Share options
The Company has 10,650,000 outstanding share options at the end
of the period. There have been no changes to the term of the
options in issue during the period. No options have been exercised
during the period.
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Outstanding options
At 1 January 10,650,000 11,340,000 11,340,000
Options expired - - (690,000)
--------- --------- ---------
At 30 June / 31 December 10,650,000 11,340,000 10,650,000
--------- --------- ---------
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Exercisable options
At 1 January 10,650,000 11,340,000 11,340,000
Options expired - - (690,000)
--------- --------- ---------
At 30 June / 31 December 10,650,000 11,340,000 10,650,000
--------- --------- ---------
15. Derivative financial instruments
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 June ended 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Current assets
Forward contract - 192 -
------ ------ ------
Current liabilities
Forward contract 168 - 217
------ ------ ------
16. Bank loans
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
As at 1 January 76,410 78,092 78,092
Additions - 72,724 78,822
Interest charge 529 694 1,278
Repayments of principal (768) (84,520) (79,751)
Repayments of interest (529) (694) (1,278)
Exchange differences 1,770 4,824 (541)
Refinancing fees - (294) (212)
Amortization of refinancing fees 48 - -
------ ------ ------
As at 30 June / 31 December 77,460 70,826 76,410
------ ------ ------
Allocated as:
Current bank loans 1,504 3,315 1,407
Non-current bank loans 75,956 67,511 75,003
------ ------ ------
77,460 70,826 76,410
------ ------ ------
The bank loan relates to Wyler Park investment property purchase
(note 8) and is secured on this property.
The principal amount of the loan facility as of 30 June 2016 is
CHF 75.85 million. The facility is committed until at least 30 June
2019. The loan facility maybe extended up to 30 June 2029, unless
terminated by either party.
The loan bears interest at 3-Month CHF Libor (with a floor rate
at zero) plus 1.40% margin. The effective Interest rate of the loan
as at 30 June 2016 is 1.40%.
17. Trade and other payables
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Financial items
Trade payables 396 500 444
Amounts due to related parties (note 27) 190 565 1,377
Accrued expenses 277 394 386
------ ------ ------
863 1,459 2,207
Non-Financial items
Prepayment from tenants - - 510
VAT payable 74 85 53
------ ------ ------
937 1,544 2,770
------ ------ ------
18. Net asset value per share
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders (USD 000) 150,234 157,837 148,637
------------- ------------- -------------
Closing number of ordinary share in issue 174,813,998 195,289,583 192,289,583
------------- ------------- -------------
Basic net asset value per share (USD) 0.86 0.81 0.77
------------- ------------- -------------
Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders (USD 000) 150,234 157,837 148,637
Dilutive share options - exercise amount 199 230 221
------------- ------------- -------------
Net assets attributable to ordinary shareholders including the effect of
potentially diluted
shares (USD 000) 150,433 158,067 148,858
------------- ------------- -------------
Closing number of ordinary shares in issue 174,813,998 195,289,583 192,289,583
Dilutive share options 500,000 500,000 500,000
------------- ------------- -------------
Closing number of ordinary shares including the effect of potentially
diluted shares 175,313,998 195,789,583 192,789,583
------------- ------------- -------------
Diluted net asset value per share (USD) 0.86 0.81 0.77
------------- ------------- -------------
Number of Shares
Ordinary shares 304,120,401 304,120,401 304,120,401
Treasury shares (129,306,403) (108,830,818) (111,830,818)
------------- ------------- -------------
Closing number of ordinary shares in issue 174,813,998 195,289,583 192,289,583
------------- ------------- -------------
The Share options granted on 13 May 2008 have a dilutive effect
on the net asset value per share, given that their exercise price
is lower than the net asset value per Company's share at 30 June
2016, 30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015. All other share options do
not impact the diluted net asset value per share at 30 June 2016,
30 June 2015 and 31 December 2015 as their exercise price at these
dates was higher than the net asset value per Company's share.
Repurchase of own shares
The Board believes that the ability of the Company to
re-purchase its own Ordinary shares in the market may potentially
benefit equity shareholders of the Company. The repurchase of
Ordinary shares at a discount to the underlying net asset value
enhances the net asset value per share of the remaining equity
shares.
During the period, the Company bought an additional 17,475,585
ordinary shares at an average price of USD 0.45 per share.
19. Segment reporting
The Group's monitoring and strategic decision making process in
relation to its investments, is separated into two activity lines,
which are also identified as the Group's operating segments. These
operating segments are monitored and strategic decisions are made
on the basis of segment operating results.
Segment information can be analysed as follows:
Six months ended 30 June 2016 - Unaudited Equity and debt
instruments Investment Total per
investment property financial
activities activities statements
Segment results 2016 2016 2016
US $000 US $000 US $000
Investment income
Interest and dividend income 12,930 - 12,930
Investment property income - 2,580 2,580
Loss on investments (7,258) (102) (7,360)
------ ------ ------
Gross profit 5,672 2,478 8,150
Administrative expenses (1,677) (327) (2,004)
------ ------ ------
Operating profit 3,995 2,151 6,146
Finance costs (124) (582) (706)
Finance income 1,143 - 1,143
------ ------ ------
Profit before taxation 5,014 1,569 6,583
Taxation charge (5) (395) (400)
------ ------ ------
Profit for the period 5,009 1,174 6,183
------ ------ ------
Segment assets 121,235 126,604 247,839
------ ------ ------
Segment liabilities 15,298 82,307 97,605
------ ------ ------
Six months ended 30 June 2015 - Unaudited Equity and debt Investment Total per
instruments property financial
investment activities statements
activities
Segment results 2015 2015 2015
US $000 US $000 US $000
Investment income
Interest and dividend income 11,850 - 11,850
Investment property income - 2,738 2,738
Loss on investments (10,944) - (10,944)
------ ------ ------
Gross profit 906 2,738 3,644
Administrative expenses (1,535) (344) (1,879)
------ ------ ------
Operating (loss) / profit (629) 2,394 1,765
Finance costs (582) (694) (1,276)
Finance income 1,677 - 1,677
------ ------ ------
Profit before taxation 466 1,700 2,166
Taxation charge - (206) (206)
------ ------ ------
Profit for the period 466 1,494 1,960
------ ------ ------
Segment assets 126,416 125,143 251,559
------ ------ ------
Segment liabilities 19,762 73,960 93,722
------ ------ ------
Year ended 31 December 2015 - Audited Equity and debt Investment Total per
instruments property financial
investment activities statements
activities
Segment results 2015 2015 2015
US $000 US $000 US $000
Investment income
Interest and dividend income 25,675 - 25,675
Investment property income - 5,227 5,227
(Loss) / gain on investments (33,955) 7,819 (26,136)
------ ------ ------
Gross (loss) / profit (8,280) 13,046 4,766
Other income 35 - 35
Administrative expenses (4,510) (645) (5,155)
------ ------ ------
Operating (loss) / profit (12,755) 12,401 (354)
Finance costs (1,109) (1,345) (2,454)
------ ------ ------
(Loss) / profit before taxation (13,864) 11,056 (2,808)
Taxation charge - (1,951) (1,951)
------ ------ ------
(Loss) / profit for the year (13,864) 9,105 (4,759)
------ ------ ------
Segment assets 121,104 124,588 245,692
------ ------ ------
Segment liabilities 15,681 81,374 97,055
------ ------ ------
The Group's investment income and its investments are divided
into the following geographical areas:
Six months ended 30 June 2016 - Unaudited Equity and debt Investment Total per
instruments property financial
investment activities statements
activities
2016 2016 2016
US $000 US $000 US $000
Investment Income
Switzerland - 2,478 2,478
Other European countries 192 - 192
United States 6,632 - 6,632
India (1,199) - (1,199)
Asia 47 - 47
------ ------ ------
5,672 2,478 8,150
------ ------ ------
Investments
Switzerland - 126,185 126,185
Other European countries 4,535 - 4,535
United States 85,896 - 85,896
India 8,912 - 8,912
Asia 4,318 - 4,318
------ ------ ------
103,661 126,185 229,846
------ ------ ------
Six months ended 30 June 2015 - Unaudited Equity and debt Investment Total per
instruments property financial
investment activities statements
activities
2015 2015 2015
US $000 US $000 US $000
Investment Income
Switzerland - 2,738 2,738
Other European countries (52) - (52)
United States 1,360 - 1,360
India (820) - (820)
Asia 418 - 418
------ ------ ------
906 2,738 3,644
------ ------ ------
Investments
Switzerland - 123,812 123,812
Other European countries 5,004 - 5,004
United States 74,931 - 74,931
India 12,475 - 12,475
Asia 4,686 - 4,686
------ ------ ------
97,096 123,812 220,908
------ ------ ------
Year ended 31 December 2015 - Audited Equity and debt Investment Total per
instruments property financial
investment activities statements
activities
2015 2015 2015
US $000 US $000 US $000
Investment Income
Switzerland - 13,046 13,046
Other European countries (22) - (22)
United States (5,950) - (5,950)
India (2,235) - (2,235)
Asia (73) (73)
------ ------ ------
(8,280) 13,046 4,766
------ ------ ------
Investments
Switzerland - 123,324 123,324
Other European countries 5,089 - 5,089
United States 72,030 - 72,030
India 10,004 - 10,004
Asia 3,825 - 3,825
------ ------ ------
90,948 123,324 214,272
------ ------ ------
Investment income, comprising interest and dividend income,
gains or losses on investments, and investment property income, is
allocated on the basis of the customer's geographical location in
the case of the investment property activities segment and the
issuer's location in the case of the equity and debt instruments
investment activities segment. Investments are allocated based on
the issuer's location.
During the period, 82% of the investment property rent relates
to rental income from a single customer (SBB - Swiss national
transport authority) in the investment property activities segment
(June 2015: 89%, December 2015: 81.9%).
20. Interest and dividend income
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 June ended 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Interest from investments 63 63 127
Dividend income 12,867 11,787 25,548
------ ------ ------
12,930 11,850 25,675
------ ------ ------
21. Investment property income
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 June ended 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Gross rental income 2,728 2,862 5,634
Direct expenses (148) (124) (407)
------ ------ ------
2,580 2,738 5,227
------ ------ ------
All direct expenses relate to the generation of rental
income.
22. Loss on investments
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 June ended 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Gain / (loss) on sale of investments - (577) (3,459)
Investment property revaluation (102) - 7,819
Loss due to impairment of available-for-sale financial assets (7,626) (10,828) (31,726)
Fair value gains / (losses) on financial assets through profit or loss 1,121 124 (320)
Fair value gain on associate - - 683
Fair value (losses) / gains on derivative instruments (694) 399 991
Bank custody fees (59) (62) (124)
------ ------ ------
(7,360) (10,944) (26,136)
------ ------ ------
The investments disposed of during the period resulted in the
following realised gains / (losses) (i.e. in relation to their
original acquisition cost):
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 June ended 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Available-for-sale - (822) (5,723)
At fair value through profit or loss 46 (87) (303)
------ ------ ------
46 (909) (6,026)
------ ------ ------
23. Administrative expenses
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 June ended 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Legal expenses 61 55 188
Directors' fees and expenses 993 996 2,414
Professional and consulting fees 429 299 872
Other salaries and expenses 113 124 213
Office cost 167 153 358
Depreciation 3 4 16
Other operating expenses 206 213 447
Provision charge - - 513
Audit fees 32 35 134
------ ------ ------
2,004 1,879 5,155
------ ------ ------
24. Finance costs and income
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 June ended 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Finance costs
Bank interest on investment property loan 577 694 1,340
Other bank interest 129 114 267
Foreign exchange loss - 468 847
------ ------ ------
706 1,276 2,454
Finance income
Foreign exchange gain 1,143 1,677 -
------ ------ ------
Net Finance (income) / costs (437) (401) 2,454
------ ------ ------
25. Dividends
No dividends are declared for the period ended 30 June 2016.
The Board of Directors will decide on the Company's dividend
policy for 2016 based on profitability, liquidity requirements,
portfolio performance, market conditions, and the share price of
the Group relative to its NAV.
26. Earnings per share
Basic profit per share has been calculated by dividing the net
profit attributable to ordinary shareholders of the parent by the
weighted average number of shares in issue of the parent during the
relevant financial periods.
Diluted profit per share is calculated after taking into
consideration other potentially dilutive shares in existence during
the period.
Six months Six months Year ended
ended 30 June ended 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Profit / (loss) for the period / year attributable to ordinary
shareholders of the parent
(USD 000) 6,183 1,960 (4,759)
--------- --------- ---------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding 186,255,695 195,289,583 194,599,172
--------- --------- ---------
Basic earnings per share (USD) 0.03 0.01 (0.02)
--------- --------- ---------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding 186,255,695 195,289,583 194,599,172
Dilutive effect of share options - 73,318 59,005
--------- --------- ---------
Weighted average number of ordinary shares including the effect of
potentially dilutive shares 186,255,695 195,362,901 194,658,177
--------- --------- ---------
Diluted earnings per share (USD) 0.03 0.01 (0.02)
--------- --------- ---------
The Share options granted on 13 May 2008 have a dilutive effect
on the weighted average number of ordinary shares only, given that
their exercise price is lower than the average market price of the
Company's shares on the London Stock Exchange (AIM division) during
the period ended 30 June 2016, 30 June 2015 and the year ended 31
December 2015. All other share options do not impact the diluted
earnings per share for the period ended 30 June 2016, 30 June 2015
and the year ended 31 December 2015 as their exercise price was
higher than the average market price of the Company's shares during
the corresponding periods.
27. Related party transactions
The Group is controlled by Groverton Management Ltd, an entity
owned by Noam Lanir, which
at 30 June 2016 held 76.6% of the Company's effective voting
rights.
30 June 30 June 31 December
2016 2015 2015
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
US $000 US $000 US $000
Amounts receivable from key management
Other assets 1,692 2,820 2,256 (1)
Directors' current accounts 2,527 2,512 2,514
------- ------- -------
4,219 5,332 4,770
------- ------- -------
Amounts payable to other related party
Loan payable (149) (499) (499) (2)
------- ------- -------
(149) (499) (499)
Amounts payable to key management
Directors' current accounts (41) (66) (35)
Other key management personnel - - (843)
------- ------- -------
(190) (565) (1,377)
------- ------- -------
Key management compensation
Short term benefits
Executive directors' fees 398 398 795 (3)
Executive directors' reward payments 564 564 1,528
Non-executive directors' fees 32 34 69
Non-executive directors' reward payments - - 22
Other key management fees 146 - 383
------- ------- -------
1,140 996 2,797
------- ------- -------
(1) Loans of USD 5.523m were made to a key management employee
for the acquisition of shares in the Company. Interest was payable
on these loans at 6 month US LIBOR plus 0.25% per annum and the
loans were secured on the shares acquired. The loans were repayable
on the earlier of the employee leaving the Company or April 2013.
In December 2012 the Board decided to renew the outstanding amount
of these loans for a period of another five years. Based on the
Board's decision, the outstanding amount is reduced annually on a
straight line over five years, as long as the key management
employee remains with the Company. The relevant reduction in the
loan amount for the period was USD 0.564m. The loans are classified
as "other assets" and are included under trade and other
receivables (note 11).
(2) A loan with a balance at 30 June 2016 of USD 0.149m (June
2015: USD 0.499m, December 2015: USD 0.499m) has been received from
related company Chanpak Ltd. The loan is free of interest,
unsecured and repayable on demand. This loan is included within
trade and other payables (note 17).
(3) These payments were made directly to companies to which they are related.
No social insurance and similar contributions nor any other
defined benefit contributions plan costs incurred for the Group in
relation to its key management personnel in either 2016 or
2015.
Noam Lanir, through an Israeli partnership, is the major
shareholder of Babylon Limited, an Israel based Internet Services
Company. The Group as of 30 June 2016 held a total of 1.941m shares
at a value of USD 1.092m (June 2015: 1.941m shares at a value of
USD 0.997m, December 2015: 1.941m shares at a value of USD 0.931m)
which represents 4.0% of its effective voting rights. The
investment in Babylon Ltd is included within public equity
investments under financial assets at fair value through profit or
loss (note 5).
During the period the Group received administrative services of
USD 0.028m (June 2015: USD 0.021m, December 2015: USD 0.039m) in
connection with investments from related company Mash Medical Life
Tree Marketing Ltd.
During the period, the Company bought 17,475,585 of its ordinary
shares (treasury shares - note 13) at an average price of USD 0.45
per share from Groverton Management Ltd.
28. Litigation
Fairfield Sentry Ltd vs custodian bank and beneficial owners
One of the custodian banks that the Group uses faces a
contingent claim up to USD 2.1m, and any interest as will be
decided by a US court and related legal fees, with regards to the
redemption of shares in Fairfield Sentry Ltd, which were bought in
2008 at the request of Livermore and on its behalf. The same case
was also filed in BVI where the Privy Council ruled against the
plaintiffs.
As a result of the surrounding uncertainties over the existence
of any obligation for Livermore, as well as for the potential
amount of exposure, the Directors cannot form an estimate of the
outcome for this case and therefore no provision has been made.
No further information is provided on the above case as the
Directors consider it could prejudice its outcome.
Ex employee vs Empire Online Ltd
In 2007 an ex employee of Empire Online Limited (the Company's
former name) filed a law suit against one of its Directors and the
Company in the Labor Court in Tel Aviv. According to the lawsuit
the plaintiff claims compensation relating to the sale of all
commercial activities of Empire Online Limited until the end of
2006, and the dissolution of the company and the terms of
termination of his employment with Empire Online Limited.
Prior to the filing of the lawsuit in Israel, the Company filed
a claim against the plaintiff in the Court in Cyprus based upon
claims concerning breach of faith of the plaintiff towards his
employers. Litigation was completed in Israel.
On 5 March 2014, the Labor Court in Tel Aviv issued a ruling in
which the court denied most of the plaintiff's claims and accepted
only his claim for termination of employment. On 16 April 2014 the
plaintiff filed an appeal against the ruling. On 10 June 2015 the
court held a hearing of the appeal and suggested that both sides
settle the dispute by means of mediation. On 20 January 2016 the
parties reached an agreement for an out of court settlement, for
which a corresponding provision has been made.
29. Commitments
As part of the lease extension agreement with SBB in 2015, the
Group will invest up to a maximum of CHF 3.95m (USD 4.04m) and SBB
is expected to invest up to CHF 9m (USD 9.2m) to upgrade the
property and allow for additional workspaces.
30. Events after the reporting date
In August 2016 loans of USD 2.5m were made to a key management
employee. Interest is accrued on these loans at 6 month US LIBOR
plus 0.25% per annum. The loans are secured by shares of the
Company of an equal market value as at the date of grant, and
(principal plus accumulated interest) are repayable on the earlier
of the employee leaving the Company or 15 August 2019.
31. Preparation of interim financial statements
Interim condensed consolidated financial statements are
unaudited. Consolidated financial statements for Livermore
Investments Group Limited for the year ended 31 December 2015,
prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards as adopted by the European Union, on which the auditors
gave an unqualified audit report are available from the Company's
website www.livermore-inv.com.
Report by the Independent Auditors on Review of Condensed
Interim Consolidated Financial Statements to the Board of Directors
of Livermore Investments Group Limited
Independent Review Report on the Interim Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements
We have reviewed the accompanying interim condensed consolidated
financial statements of Livermore Investments Group Limited (the
"Company") and its subsidiaries (the "Group") on pages 9 to 36,
which comprise the condensed consolidated statement of financial
position as at 30 June 2016 and the condensed consolidated
statements of profit or loss, comprehensive income, changes in
equity and cash flows for the six months then ended, and other
explanatory notes.
Board of Directors' Responsibility for the Interim Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements
The Company's Board of Directors is responsible for the
preparation and fair presentation of these interim condensed
consolidated financial statements in accordance with International
Accounting Standard 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by
the European Union.
Accountant's Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express a conclusion on these interim
condensed consolidated financial statements based on our review. We
conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on
Auditing 2410 "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by
the Independent Auditor of the Entity". This Standard requires that
we plan and perform the review to obtain moderate assurance as to
whether the interim condensed consolidated financial statements are
free of material misstatement.
A review of interim financial information is limited primarily
to making inquiries of Company personnel and applying analytical
and other review procedures to financial data. A review is
substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance
with International Standards on Auditing and consequently does not
enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all
significant matters that might be identified in an audit.
Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
Conclusion
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that
causes us to believe that the accompanying interim condensed
consolidated financial statements do not present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Livermore Investments
Group Limited and its subsidiaries as at 30 June 2016 and of its
financial performance and its cash flows for the six month period
then ended in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34
"Interim Financial Reporting" as adopted by the European Union.
Other Matter
This report, including the conclusion, has been prepared for and
only for the Company's members and for no other purpose. We do not,
in giving this conclusion, accept or assume responsibility for any
other purpose or to any other person to whose knowledge this report
may come to.
Nicos Mouzouris
Certified Public Accountant and Registered Auditor
for and on behalf of
Grant Thornton (Cyprus) Ltd
Certified Public Accountants and Registered Auditors
Limassol, 27 September
2016
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
IR DDLFLQKFFBBD
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 28, 2016 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)