REG-Lon.Fin.&Inv.Grp.: Half-year Report
24/02/2020 07:05
London Finance & Investment Group PLC
(‘Lonfin’ or the ‘Company’)
Unaudited Interim Results for the six months ended 31(st) December 2019 and
interim dividend declaration
The Company today announces its unaudited interim results and interim dividend
declaration for the six months ended 31(st) December 2019 (the ‘Interim
Statement’).
Chairman’s Statement
Introduction
As an investment company our target is to achieve growth in shareholder value
in real terms over the medium to long term. In the short term our results can
be influenced by overall stock market performance, particularly the valuation
of our Strategic Investments. We continue to believe that a combination of
Strategic Investments and a General Portfolio is the most effective way of
achieving our aims. Strategic Investments are significant investments in
smaller UK quoted companies where we have expectations of above average growth
over the medium to longer term and these are balanced by a General Portfolio
which consists of investments in major U.S., U.K. and European equities. The
Company acknowledges the benefits of socially responsible long-term investment
and consideration of ESG issues is integrated in its investment
decision-making processes.
At 31(st) December 2019, we held two Strategic Investments: Western Selection
PLC and Finsbury Food Group Plc. Detailed comments on our Strategic
Investments are given below.
Results
Our net assets per share increased by 6.7% to 63p at 31(st) December 2019 from
59p at 30(th) June 2019. Our Strategic Investments increased in value by 19%
during the period. Our General Portfolio increased by 0.2%, compared with
increases of 1.6% and 7.2% in the FTSE 100 index and the FTSEurofirst 300
Index respectively, over the half year. At the close of business on 31(st)
January 2020, our net asset value was 62.6p per share.
The Group profit before tax for the half year was £91,000 compared to a
restated loss of £727,000 for the same period last year. Our total
comprehensive profit after tax and minority interest was £1,478,000 (2018
restated: £876,000) giving an earnings per share of 0.33p (2018 restated:
loss per share 1.67p).
Strategic Investments
Finsbury Food Group Plc (“Finsbury”)
Finsbury is a leading UK speciality bakery manufacturer of cake, bread and
morning goods for the retail and foodservice channels. Further information
about Finsbury, which is admitted to trading on AIM, is available on its
website: www.finsburyfoods.co.uk
On 16(th) September 2019, Finsbury announced profits on continuing operations
after tax of £10,293,000 for the 52 weeks ended 29(th) June 2019 (2018:
£3,164,000).
Finsbury also announced that a final dividend of 2.34p per share would be paid
in December 2019 which provided Lonfin with income of £140,400.
At 31(st) December 2019, Lonfin held 6,000,000 Finsbury shares, which
represent 4.6% of Finsbury’s issued share capital. The market value of this
investment at 31(st) December 2019 was £5,880,000 (30(th) June 2019:
£4,020,000) representing 30% of Lonfin’s net assets.
Western Selection PLC (“Western”)
The Group owns 7,860,515 Western shares, representing 43.8% of Western’s
issued share capital. Western is a strategic investment which is technically a
subsidiary of the Company that has not been consolidated due to the
application of the investment entity exemption under IFRS 10.
On 21(st) February 2020, Western announced a loss before tax of £221,000 for
the half year to 31(st) December 2019 (2018: loss before tax of £427,000) and
a loss per share of 0.7p (2018: loss per share of 2.4p). Western’s net
assets at market value were £10,666,000 equivalent to 59p per share. Western
also announced that it was not recommending the payment of an interim dividend
(2018: 1.1p per share).
The market value of the Company’s investment in Western at 31(st) December
2019 was £3,144,000 representing 16% of the net assets of Lonfin (30(th) June
2019: £3,576,000). Our share of the net assets of Western, including the
value of Western’s investments at market value, was £4,672,000 (30(th) June
2019 - £5,005,000).
I am the Chairman of Western and Edward Beale is a non-executive director.
Western’s main Core Holdings are Northbridge Industrial Services Plc, Brand
Architekts Group Plc (formerly, Swallowfield PLC), Bilby Plc and Tudor Rose
International Limited.
An extract from Western’s interim results announcement relating to its main
Core Holdings is set out below:
Core Holdings
Northbridge Industrial Service Plc (“Northbridge”)
Northbridge hires and sells specialist industrial equipment to a non-cyclical
customer base. With offices or agents in the UK, USA, Dubai, Germany, Belgium,
France, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brazil, Korea and Azerbaijan,
Northbridge has a global customer base. This includes utility companies, the
oil and gas sector, shipping, construction and the public sector. The product
range includes loadbanks, transformers and oil tools. Further information
about Northbridge, which is admitted to trading on AIM, is available on its
website: www.northbridgegroup.co.uk
Northbridge’s latest results, for the half year to 30(th) June 2019, showed
a loss after tax of £122,000 for the period (2018: loss after tax of
£1,472,000). No interim dividend payment was recommended (2018: none).
Western owns 3,300,000 Northbridge shares which represent 11.8% of
Northbridge’s issued share capital. The market value of this investment at
31(st) December 2019 was £4,455,000 (30(th) June 2019: £4,900,500),
representing 41.7% of Western’s net assets.
Brand Architekts Group Plc (“Brand Architekts”)
Brand Architekts (formerly, Swallowfield plc) is a beauty brands business
specialising in the delivery of innovative products to consumers and
retailers. Brand Architekts has developed both organically and through
acquisition a portfolio of brands that are owned and managed by the Brand
Architekts group. Further information about Brand Architekts, which is
admitted to trading on AIM, is available on its website:
www.brandarchitektsplc.com
Brand Architekts announced its annual results for the 52 weeks ended 29(th)
June 2019 on 30(th) September 2019 showing an adjusted profit after tax of
£1,590,000 compared to an adjusted profit after tax of £1,932,000 for the
comparable period last year. Brand Architekts also announced that a final
dividend of 4.35p per share would be paid in December 2019 which provided
Western with income of £56,550.
Western owns 1,300,000 Brand Architekts shares which represent 7.6% of Brand
Architekts’ issued share capital). The market value of this investment at
31(st) December 2019 was £1,976,000 (30(th) June 2019: £2,502,000),
representing 18.5% of Western’s net assets.
Edward Beale, a director of Western, is a non-executive director of Brand
Architekts.
Bilby Plc (“Bilby”)
Bilby is an award-winning provider of gas and electrical installation,
maintenance and general building services to local authority and housing
associations predominantly in London and South East England. It has a strategy
of growing organically and by acquisition. Further information about Bilby,
which is admitted to trading on AIM, is available on its website:
www.bilbyplc.com.
Bilby announced its interim results for the six-month period to 30(th)
September 2019 on 19(th) December 2019 showing a profit after tax of £542,000
(2018: £1,133,000). Bilby also announced that it would not be recommending
the payment of an interim dividend.
Western invested an additional £400,000 in a private placing undertaken by
Bilby in November 2019 acquiring an additional 3,636,363 shares at a price of
11p per share.
Western owns 6,336,363 Bilby shares, which represent 10.8% of Bilby’s issued
share capital. The market value of this investment at 31(st) December 2019
was £1,711,000 (30(th) June 2019: £877,000) representing 16.0% of
Western’s net assets.
Tudor Rose International Limited (“Tudor Rose International”)
Tudor Rose International works closely with a number of leading UK branded
fast-moving consumer goods companies, offering a complete sale, marketing and
logistical service. Based in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Tudor Rose International
sells into 78 countries worldwide including USA, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Czech
Republic, Russia, Turkey, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Malaysia, Australia
and China.
As announced in our Final Results on 30(th) September 2019, this investment
has been fully provided against.
Edward Beale and David Marshall, both directors of Western, are non-executive
directors of Tudor Rose International.
General Portfolio
Lonfin’s general portfolio is diverse with material interests in Food and
Beverages, Natural Resources, Chemicals and Tobacco. We believe that the
portfolio of quality companies we hold has the potential to outperform the
market in the medium to long term.
At 31(st) December 2019, the number of holdings in the General Portfolio was
30 (2018: 30).
Outlook
The Company’s investment performance since the year end has been affected by
the volatility in the markets and by the reduction in value of our Strategic
Holdings. Although global stock markets have shown resilience and strength
over the course of the last year, they are now close to all-time highs at a
time when there is continued economic and political uncertainty. Accordingly,
the Board remains cautious about the potential impact of major geo-political
risks, including the outcome of future trading relationships with the EU, and
expects to see continued volatility in the equity and currency markets. These
may impact further on the value of our investments.
The Board has declared an interim dividend of 0.55p per share (2018: 0.55p).
24(th) February 2020
D.C. MARSHALL
Chairman
Interim Dividend
The Board recommends an interim gross dividend of 0.55p per share (10.73127 SA
cents) (2018: 0.55p) which will be paid on Friday 3(rd) April 2020 to those
members registered at the close of business on Friday 13(th) March 2020 (SA
and UK). Shareholders on the South African register will receive their
dividend in SA Rand converted from sterling at the closing rate of exchange on
Tuesday, 18(th) February 2020, being GBP 1 = SA Rand 19.5114.
JSE Disclosure Requirements
In respect of the normal gross cash dividend, and in terms of the South
African Tax Act, the following dividend tax ruling only applies to those
shareholders who are registered on the South African register on Friday,
13(th) March 2020. All other shareholders are exempt.
* The number of shares in issue now and as at the interim dividend declaration
date is 31,207,479;
* The interim gross dividend is 10.73127 SA cents;
* The interim net dividend is 8.58502 SA cents;
* The dividend has been declared from income reserves, which funds are sourced
from the Company’s main bank account in London and is regarded as a foreign
dividend by South African shareholders; and
* The Company’s UK Income Tax reference number is 948/L32120.
Dividend dates:
Last day to trade (SA) Tuesday 10 (th)March 2020
Shares trade ex-dividend (SA) Wednesday 11 (th)March 2020
Shares trade ex-dividend (UK) Thursday 12 (th)March 2020
Record date (SA and UK) Friday 13 (th)March 2020
Dividend Payment date Friday 3 (rd)April 2020
The JSE Listing Requirements require disclosure of additional information in
relation to any dividend payments.
Shareholders registered on the South African register are advised that the
dividend withholding tax will be withheld from the gross final dividend amount
of 10.73127 SA cents per share at a rate of 20% unless a shareholder qualifies
for an exemption; shareholders registered on the South African register who do
not qualify for an exemption will therefore receive a net dividend of 8.58502
SA cents per share. The dividend withholding tax and the information contained
in this paragraph is only of direct application to shareholders registered on
the South African register, who should direct any questions about the
application of the dividend withholding tax to Computershare Investor Services
(Pty) Limited, Tel: +27 11 370 5000
Share certificates may not be de-materialised or re-materialised between
Wednesday 11(th) March 2020 and Friday 13(th) March 2020, both dates
inclusive. Shares may not be transferred between the registers in London and
South Africa during this period either.
Statement of Directors’ responsibility
The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:
* the unaudited interim results for the six months ended 31(st) December 2019,
have been prepared in accordance with IAS 34, ‘Interim financial
reporting’, as adopted by the EU; and
* the Interim Statement includes a fair review of the information required by
DTR 4.2.7R and DTR 4.2.8R of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
Neither this Interim Statement nor any future interim statements of the
Company will be posted to shareholders. The Interim Statement is available
as follows:
* on the Company’s website at
www.city-group.com/london-finance-investment-group-plc/; and
* by writing to City Group PLC, the Company Secretary, at 1 Ely Place, London
EC1N 6RY
The information communicated within this announcement was deemed to constitute
inside information as
stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014. Upon the
publication of this
announcement, this information is considered to be in the public domain.
The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this
announcement.
For further information, please contact:
London Finance & Investment Group PLC Sponsor: Sasfin Capital (a member of the Sasfin Group). +44(0) 20 7796 9060
Consolidated Statement of Total Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)
Half year ended Year Ended
31 (st)December 30 (th)June
2019 2018 2019
Restated for IFRS 16 Restated for IFRS 16
£000 £000 £000
Operating Income
Dividends receivable 271 335 687
Rental and other income 75 55 130
Profit on sales of investments - 15 15
Management service fees 139 132 260
485 537 1,092
Administrative expenses
Investment operations (221) (209) (398)
Management services (170) (189) (328)
Total administrative expenses (391) (398) (726)
Operating profit 94 139 366
Unrealised changes in the carrying value of General Portfolio investments 21 (814) 748
Exceptional costs – office move - (35) (67)
Interest payable (24) (17) (57)
Profit/(Loss) before taxation 91 (727) 990
Tax income/(expense) 28 182 (95)
Profit/(Loss) after taxation 119 (545) 895
Non-controlling interest (14) 22 13
Profit/(Loss) attributable to shareholders 105 (523) 908
Other comprehensive income/(expense) –
Unrealised changes in the carrying value of Strategic Investments 1,428 (443) (3,054)
Other taxation -
Deferred tax (52) 90 379
Total other comprehensive income/(expense) 1,376 (353) (2,675)
Total comprehensive income/(expense) attributable to shareholders 1,481 (876) (1,767)
Basic, Diluted and Headline earnings per share 0.3p (1.7)p 2.9p
Interim dividend 0.55p 0.55p 0.55p
Final dividend - - 0.60p
Total in respect of the period 0.55p 0.55p 1.15p
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited)
Ordinary Share Capital Share Premium Account Unrealised Profits and Losses on Investments Share of Retained profits and losses Results of Subsidiaries Retained Realised Profits & Losses Total Non-Controlling Interests Total Equity
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Period ended 31 (st)Dec 2019
Balances at 1 (st)July 2019 1,560 2,320 6,085 4,574 3,739 18,278 100 18,378
IFRS 16 adjustment - - - (9) - (9) (8) (17)
Restated Balance at 1 (st)July 2019 1,560 2,320 6,085 4,565 3,739 18,269 92 18,361
Profit/(Loss) for the Period - - 60 153 (108) 105 14 119
Other Comprehensive Income - - 1,376 - - 1,376 - 1,376
Total comprehensive income - - 1,436 153 (108) 1,481 14 1,495
Dividends paid and total transactions with shareholders - - - - (187) (187) - (187)
Balances at 31 (st)Dec 2019 1,560 2,320 7,521 4,718 3,444 19,563 106 19,669
Ordinary Share Capital Share Premium Account Unrealised Profits and Losses on Investments Share of Retained profits and losses Results of Subsidiaries Retained Realised Profits & Losses Total Non-Controlling Interests Total Equity
£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000
Period ended 31 (st)Dec 2018
Balances at 1 (st)July 2018 1,560 2,320 8,056 4,207 4,253 20,396 105 20,501
(Loss)/Profit for the Period - - (613) 198 (105) (520) (19) (539)
IFRS 16 adjustment (3) (3) (3) (6)
Other Comprehensive Expense - - (353) - - (353) - (353)
Total comprehensive (expense)/income - - (966) 195 (105) (876) (22) (898)
Dividends paid and total transactions with shareholders - - - - (187) (187) - (187)
Restated Balances at 31 (st)Dec 2018 1,560 2,320 7,090 4,402 3,961 19,333 83 19,416
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited)
31 (st)December 30 (th)June
2019 2018 2019
Restated for IFRS 16 Restated for IFRS 16
£000 £000 £000
Non-current assets
Property, plant and equipment 34 46 39
Right of use of leased offices 537 598 568
Strategic investments: -
Finsbury Food Group Plc 5,880 6,120 4,020
Western Selection PLC 3,144 4,087 3,576
9,595 10,851 8,203
Current assets
Listed investments 11,404 9,829 11,383
Trade and other receivables 157 227 194
Cash and cash equivalents 317 495 240
11,878 10,551 11,817
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables falling due within one year (164) (376) (232)
Borrowings (625) (550) (400)
Lease liability (50) (14) (49)
(839) (940) (681)
Net Current Assets 11,039 9,611 11,136
Non-current liabilities
Lease liability (557) (607) (583)
Deferred taxation (408) (439) (395)
Total Assets less Total Liabilities 19,669 19,416 18,361
Capital and Reserves
Called up share capital 1,560 1,560 1,560
Share premium account 2,320 2,320 2,320
Unrealised profits and losses on investments 7,521 7,090 6,085
Share of retained profits and losses of subsidiaries 4,718 4,402 4,565
Company’s retained realised profits and losses 3,444 3,961 3,739
Total Capital and Reserves attributable to owners 19,563 19,333 18,269
Non-controlling equity interest 106 83 92
19,669 19,416 18,361
Net assets per share 63.0p 62.2p 58.8p
Number of shares in issue 31,207,479 31,207,479 31,207,479
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
Half year ended Year ended
31 (st)December 30 (th)June
2019 2018 2019
Restated for IFRS 16 Restated for IFRS 16
£000 £000 £000
Cash flows from operating activities
Profit/(Loss) before tax 91 (727) 990
Adjustments for non-cash items-
Finance expense 24 17 57
Depreciation charges 36 21 59
Unrealised changes in the fair value of investments (21) 814 (756)
Realised gain on disposal of investments - (15) (7)
Decrease in trade and other receivables 37 26 58
(Decrease)/Increase in trade and other payables (68) 28 (130)
Taxes paid (11) (11) (44)
Net cash inflow from operating activities 88 153 227
Cash flows from investment activity
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment - (39) (39)
Acquisition of current investments - (611) (611)
Disposal of current investment - 660 667
Net cash inflow from investment activity - 10 17
Cash flows from financing
Operating lease financing (40) - (5)
Interest paid (9) (9) (18)
Equity dividends paid (187) (188) (360)
Net drawdown of loan facilities 225 225 75
Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing (11) 28 (308)
Increase/(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 77 191 (64)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 240 304 304
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year 317 495 240
Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net debt
At start Cash At end of
of Period Flow Period
Half year ended £000 £000 £000
31 (st)December 2019
Cash and cash equivalents 240 77 317
Bank revolving credit facility (400) (225) (625)
Net cash and cash equivalents (160) (148) (308)
31 (st)December 2018
Cash and cash equivalents 304 191 495
Bank revolving credit facility (325) (225) (550)
Net cash and cash equivalents (21) (34) (55)
Year ended 30 (th)June 2019
Cash and cash equivalents 304 (64) 240
Bank revolving credit facility (325) (75) (400)
Net cash and cash equivalents (21) (139) (160)
Notes: -
1. Basis of preparation: The results for the half-year are unaudited. The information contained in this report does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of the Companies Act 2006. The statutory accounts of the Group for the year ended 30
(th)June 2019 have been reported on by the Company's auditors and have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors was unqualified.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the accounting policies contained in the Group’s 2019 Annual Report and Accounts and International Financial Reporting Standards, and complies with IAS 34, ‘Interim financial reporting’ as adopted by the EU.
The financial information contained in this report has not been audited or reviewed by the Company’s auditors.
IFRS 16 ‘Leases’ was applied for a first time in this accounting period. The standard provides a single lessee accounting model, requiring lessees to recognise assets and liabilities for all leases unless the lease term is 12 months or less or the
underlying asset has a low value. Lessors continue to classify leases as operating or finance, with IFRS 16’s approach to lessor accounting substantially unchanged from its predecessor IAS 17. The standard replaces IAS 17 ‘Leases’ and related
interpretations. The Group has only one operating lease and the right of use of asset and lease liability have been estimated based on 5% discount factor and the cash flow predicted over 10-year lease life. The Income statement has also been affected with
additional depreciation and interest charges which replace the rent costs. The Group has chosen to apply the full retrospective approach in transitioning to the new accounting standard.
2. Earnings/loss per share: Earnings/loss per share are based on the profit on ordinary activities after taxation and non-controlling interests of £105,000 (2018 restated: loss of £523,000) and on 31,207,479 (2018: 31,207,479) shares being the weighted
average of number of shares in issue during the year. There are options outstanding over 80,000 shares. Reconciliation of headline earnings Headline earnings are required to be disclosed by the JSE. Headline earnings per share are based on the profit
attributable to the shareholders after tax and non-controlling interests of £105,000 (2018 restated: loss of £523,000) and on 31,207,479 (2018: 31,207,479) shares being the weighted average of number of shares in issue during the year.
3. Going Concern: After making enquiries, the Board is satisfied that the Group will be able to operate within the level of its facilities for the foreseeable future. For this reason, the Board considers it appropriate for the Group to adopt the going concern
basis in preparing its financial statements.
4. Principal risks and uncertainties: The principal risks and uncertainties which could impact the Group’s long-term performance and its performance over the remaining six months of the financial year are disclosed on pages 8-9 of the Group’s 2019 Annual
Report and Accounts. The key risks and mitigating activities have not changed from these: - Stock market volatility, economic uncertainty and Brexit; - Possible volatility of share prices of Strategic Investments and General Portfolio investments; -
Dividend income; - Ability to make strategic investments; and - Liquidity of equity investments in strategic investments.
Composition of General Portfolio
Value
£000 %
LVMH Moet Hennessey 702 6.2
Investor AB (B)' 573 5.0
Diageo 544 4.8
Schindler-Holdings 538 4.7
Brown Forman (B) 523 4.6
Givaudan 500 4.4
Nestle 493 4.3
L'Oreal 472 4.1
Pernod Ricard 467 4.1
Unilever 439 3.8
Heineken Holding 434 3.8
Procter & Gamble Co 424 3.7
Royal Dutch Shell (B) 403 3.5
United Technologies Corp 384 3.4
Danone 376 3.3
Antofagasta 367 3.2
Exxon Mobil Corp 348 3.0
Phillip Morris International Inc 327 2.9
HSBC Holding 326 2.9
British American Tobacco 317 2.8
Reckitt Benckiser Group 300 2.6
Henkel 294 2.6
3M Co 293 2.6
Becton Dickinson & Co 287 2.5
BASF 240 2.1
Anheuser Busch Inbev 230 2.0
Deutsche Post 216 1.9
AP Moeller-Maersk 207 1.8
Compagnie Financiere Richemont 196 1.7
Imperial Brands 165 1.5
Maersk Drilling 19 0.2
11,404 100.0
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