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REG - UIL Finance Ltd UIL Limited Utilico Limited 2014 UIL Finance - UTLG - Half-year Report

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RNS Number : 0520Y  UIL Finance Limited  21 February 2025

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

 

 

HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT

 

FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 2024

 

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

HALF-YEARLY FINANCIAL REPORT

for the six months to 31 December 2024

 

 

 Contents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Page

 Company Directory                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2

 Strategic Review                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            3

 Directors' Report                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           4

 Statement of Directors' Responsibilities                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    6

 Condensed Income Statement (Unaudited)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      7

 Condensed Statement of Changes in Equity (Unaudited)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        7

 Condensed Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               7

 Condensed Statement of Financial Position (Unaudited)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       8

 Condensed Notes to the Accounts (Unaudited)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 9

 

UIL Finance
Limited

 COMPANY DIRECTORY

 Registered Office                        Clarendon House
                                          2 Church Street
                                          Hamilton HM11
                                          Bermuda

 Directors                                Stuart Bridges (Chairman)
                                          Peter Durhager
                                          Alison Hill
                                          David Shillson

 Company Number                           39479

 Legal Entity Identifier                  213800JPJWZ5P3QJX538

 Auditor                                  KPMG Audit Limited
                                          Crown House

                                          4 Par-la-Ville Road

                                          Hamilton

                                          HM 08

                                          Bermuda

 Date of Formation                        17 January 2007

 Nature of Business                       Closed end investment company

 Ordinary Shareholder and Parent Company  UIL Limited

UIL Finance Limited

 

STRATEGIC REVIEW

The Strategic Review is designed to provide shareholders with an insight into
the operations of the Company during the period. In particular, it gives
information on:

 

• the Company's objective and investment policy;

• the regulatory and competitive environment within which the Company
operates;

• the Board's strategy for achieving its stated objectives;

• principal risks and risk management; and

• key performance indicators.

 

Objective

The Company's investment objective is to finance and fund the final capital
entitlements of the zero dividend preference ("ZDP") shares.

 

Investment policy

The Company seeks to fund the final capital entitlements of the ZDP shares by
lending current asset funds to its parent company, UIL Limited.

 

Regulatory and competitive environment

The Company is obliged to comply with Bermuda law, the Listing Rules of the
Financial Conduct Authority and International Financial Reporting Standards
("IFRS"), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB").
The Company is exempt from taxation, except insofar as it is withheld from
income received. Under Bermuda law, the Company may not distribute income by
way of a dividend unless, after distribution of the dividend, the realisable
value of the Company's assets would be greater than the aggregate of its
liabilities. ICM Investment Management Limited ("ICMIM") is the Alternative
Investment Fund Manager of UIL Limited and joint investment manager with ICM
Limited ("ICM"). ICM is the company secretary.

 

Strategy for achieving objectives

The Company's performance in pursuing its objective is based on the ability of
its parent company to repay the intra-group loan to the Company. UIL Limited
has provided an undertaking to provide sufficient funds to the Company to meet
each redemption as it falls due.

 

Principal risks and uncertainties

The principal underlying risk of the Company continues to relate to its
ability to repay the ZDP shares when they fall due. This is dependent on the
asset performance of the parent company. At 31 December 2024, the parent
company had net assets of £162,742,000 (31 December 2023: £170,283,000 and
30 June 2024: £136,927,000) after providing for amounts due to ZDP
shareholders. Details of the ZDP shares are set out in note 8 to the accounts.

 

A further risk faced by the Company is that of a regulatory nature. A
regulatory or legal breach could lead to financial penalties or a qualified
audit report.  The Company uses all reasonable efforts to ensure that the
Company adheres to the relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.

 

Key Performance Indicators

The Board assesses the Company's success in pursuing its objectives in the
ability to provide for the amounts due to the ZDP shareholders which is based
on the ability of its parent company to repay the intra-group loan to the
Company. The KPIs for the parent company can be found in UIL Limited's Annual
Report.

 

This Strategic Review was approved by the Board of Directors on 21 February
2025.

 

ICM Limited

Company Secretary

21 February 2025

UIL Finance Limited

 

DIRECTORS' REPORT

The Directors present their half-yearly financial report of the Company for
the six months ended 31 December 2024.

 

Principal activity and status

UIL Finance Limited (the "Company" or "UIL Finance") is a Bermuda exempted,
closed ended investment company with company registration number 39479. The
Company's issued ZDP shares are listed in the non-equity shares and non-voting
equity shares category of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority
and are traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

 

Corporate Governance

Bermuda does not have its own corporate governance code and, since the Company
has a listing in the non-equity shares and non-voting equity shares category
of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority, the Company is not
required to comply or provide an explanation for any non-compliance with the
UK Corporate Governance Code issued by the Financial Reporting Council.

 

The Board meets at least twice a year to consider strategic affairs and to
approve the half yearly report and the annual report and accounts.

 

In the Directors' opinion, the interests of the Company and its shareholders
are adequately covered by the governance procedures applicable to its parent
company, UIL Limited. For example, UIL Limited's Audit & Risk Committee
considers the financial reporting procedures and oversees the internal control
and risk management systems for the Group as a whole and the Directors see no
benefit in convening a separate Audit Committee or any other committee for the
Company. An overview of the Group's internal control and risk management
systems are set out in UIL Limited's report and accounts.

 

Results and Dividends

The results for the period are set out in the attached accounts which are
prepared on a going concern basis and as set out in note 14, the Directors
believe that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing
the accounts as the Company can continue to operate due to the contractual
obligation of the parent company to ensure that UIL Finance is able to redeem
the ZDP shares on each repayment date and the Directors are comfortable that
the parent company has the financial resources to do so.

 

The Company has not declared a dividend in respect of the period ended 31
December 2024 (for the periods ended 31 December 2023 and 30 June 2024: nil).

 

Directors

The following Directors held office throughout the period:

Stuart Bridges (Chairman)

Peter Durhager

Alison Hill

David Shillson

 

Directors' Disclosures

At 31 December 2024, no Director had any interest in the Company's shares (31
December 2023 and 30 June 2024: none).  No Director acquired or disposed of
any interest in the shares in the Company during the period or since the
period end.

 

Directors' Remuneration

No Director received or is entitled to receive any remuneration from the
Company.

Zero dividend preference shares

Full details of the changes to the Company's authorised and issued zero
dividend preference shares during the period can be found in note 8 to the
accounts.

 

Ordinary Share Capital

Full details of the changes to the Company's authorised and issued ordinary
share capital during the period can be found in note 9 to the accounts.

 

Ordinary shares of UIL Limited

Ordinary shares of UIL Limited rank behind the ZDP shares on a winding up of
the Company and UIL Limited, together referred to as the Group (save for any
undistributed revenue reserves of UIL Limited on a winding up).

 

Auditor

KPMG Audit Limited ("KPMG") was the Company's auditor for the year ended 30
June 2024 and was appointed as auditor to the Company at the AGM of the
Company on 14 November 2024.

 

 

 

By order of the Board

 

ICM Limited

Secretary

21 February 2025

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITIES

in respect of the Half-Yearly Financial Report

We confirm to the best of our knowledge:

 

•    The condensed set of financial statements contained within the report
for the six months to 31 December 2024 has been prepared in accordance with
International Accounting Standard 34 "Interim Financial Reporting" on a going
concern basis and gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities,
financial position and return of the Company;

 

•    The half-yearly report includes a fair review of the important events
that have occurred during the first six months of the financial year and their
impact on the financial statements as required by DTR 4.2.7R;

 

•    The Directors' statement of principal risks and uncertainties within
the Strategic Review above is a fair review of the principal risks and
uncertainties for the remainder of the year as required by DTR 4.2.7R;

 

•    The half-yearly report includes a fair review of the related party
transactions that have taken place in the first six months of the financial
year as required by DTR 4.2.8R.

 

 

On behalf of the Board

Stuart Bridges

Chairman

21 February 2025

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

 CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENT (UNAUDITED)

                                                                             Six months to    Six months to    Year to
                                                                             31 December      31 December      30 June
                                                                             2024             2023             2024
                                                            Note             £'000s           £'000s           £'000s

 Income                                                     2                2,531            2,666            5,393
 Total income                                                                2,531            2,666            5,393
 Other expenses                                                              -                -                -
 Profit before finance costs and taxation                                    2,531            2,666            5,393
 Finance costs                                              3                (2,531)          (2,666)          (5,393)
 Profit before taxation                                                      -                -                -
 Taxation                                                   4                -                -                -
 Profit for the period                                                       -                -                -

 Earnings per share - pence                                 5                -                -                -

 The Company does not have any income or expense that is not included in the
 profit for the period, and therefore the 'profit for the period' is also the
 'total comprehensive income for the period', as defined in International
 Accounting Standard 1 (revised).

 All items in the above statement are derived from continuing operations.
 The condensed notes (unaudited) on pages 9 to 17 form part of these condensed
 financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

There are no movements in equity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

There were no cash flows in the period and therefore a cash flow statement has
not been prepared.

 

 

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

 CONDENSED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (UNAUDITED)

 As at                                                  31 December     31 December     30 June
                                                        2024            2023            2024
                                        Note            £'000s          £'000s          £'000s
 Non-current assets
 Other receivables                      7               64,641          61,124          62,837
 Current assets
 Other receivables                      7               -               39,764          40,778
 Current liabilities
 Zero dividend preference shares        8               -               (39,724)        (40,778)
 Total assets less current liabilities                  64,641          61,124          62,837
 Non-current liabilities
 Zero dividend preference shares        8               (64,641)        (61,124)        (62,837)
 Net assets                                             -               -               -

 Equity attributable to equity holders
 Ordinary share capital                 9               -               -               -

 The condensed notes (unaudited) on pages 9 to 17 form part of these condensed
 financial statements.

 

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (UNAUDITED)

for the period to 31 December 2024

 

The Company is an investment company incorporated in Bermuda on 17 January
2007. The accounting policies below are unchanged from the previous year.

 

1.      Material accounting policies

 

(a)              Basis of accounting

This condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance
with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted for use in the UK.

 

The annual financial statements of the Company for the year ending 30 June
2025 will be prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards. The
financial statements of the Company have been prepared on a going concern
basis (see note 14).

 

(b)              Zero dividend preference shares

The ZDP shares, due to be redeemed on 31 October 2026 and 2028, at a
redemption value, including accrued capitalised returns of 151.50 pence per
share and 152.29 pence per share respectively, have been classified as
liabilities, as they represent an obligation on behalf of the Company to
deliver to their holders a fixed and determinable amount at the redemption
date. They are accordingly accounted for at amortised cost, using the
effective interest method as per the requirements of IFRS 9 "Financial
Instruments", even though under Bermuda company law ZDP shares are required to
be recognised as share capital in the Company.

 

(c)              Cash flow statement

There were no cash flows in the period or in the prior year and therefore a
cash flow statement has not been prepared. All transaction movements were
through the intra-group loan account.

 

(d)              Foreign currency

The functional and reporting currency is pounds sterling because the Company's
ZDP share capital was raised, and will be repaid, in pounds sterling, and has
been lent to, and will be repaid, by the parent company, in that currency.

 

(e)              Income

(i) Interest income

Interest on debt is accrued on a time basis using the effective interest
method, calculated by accreting the initial recognition of the inter-company
loan at present value (loan and contribution by the parent) to the final
amount receivable at maturity.

 

(ii) Other income

The parent's contribution towards the issue costs of the ZDP shares and
redemption proceeds is accrued on a time basis, calculated by amortising the
issue costs over the life of the loan.

 

(f)               Expenses

The Company incurs no expenses other than finance costs. The Directors are not
entitled to receive any remuneration and all other expenses relating to the
Company are paid in full by the parent company.

 

(g)              Finance costs

Finance costs are accounted for on an effective interest method.

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)

 

1.      Accounting policies (continued)

 

(h)              Inter-company loans

UIL Limited has undertaken (i) to repay any interest free loan, and (ii) to
reimburse the Company (by way of payment in advance, if required) any and all
costs, expenses, fees or interest the Company incurs or is otherwise liable to
pay to the holder of the ZDP shares so as to enable the Company to pay the
final capital entitlement of each class of ZDP share on their respective
redemption date. The amount owed in the accounts is based on the entitlements
of the ZDP shareholders at the relevant date. The inter company loans are
accordingly accounted for at amortised cost, using the effective interest
method and were assessed for credit risk under the new IFRS 9 methodology and
evaluated as having no significant credit risk. Therefore, no amounts were
recognised as an impairment provision.

 

 (i)              Use of judgements, estimates and assumptions

The presentation of the financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires
management to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the
application of accounting policies and reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, income and expenses. Estimates and judgements are continually
evaluated and are based on perceived risks, historical experience,
expectations of plausible future events and other factors. Actual results may
differ from these estimates. The area requiring the most significant judgement
and estimation in the preparation of the financial statements is the
accounting through the Income Statement of the parent contribution to UIL
Finance to enable UIL Finance to repay the ZDP shareholders on each repayment
date. The parent's contribution towards the issue cost of the ZDP shares and
redemption proceeds has been treated through the Income Statement and
recognised over the life of the loan as UIL Finance provides financing
services to UIL Limited and in return is due to receive reimbursement of any
costs and expense as and when they fall due. The policy for interest income,
including the allocation and recognition of the parent contributions, is set
out in note 1(e) to the accounts.

 

 

2.               Income

                  Six months to  Six months to  Year to
                  31 December    31 December    30 June
                  2024           2023           2024
                  £'000s         £'000s         £'000s
 Interest income  2,374          2,500          5,051
 Other income     157            166            342
                  2,531          2,666          5,393

 

 

3.               Finance costs

             Six months to  Six months to  Year to
             31 December    31 December    30 June
             2024           2023           2024
             £'000s         £'000s         £'000s
 ZDP shares  2,531          2,666          5,393

 

 

4.               Taxation

The profits for the period (and 31 December 2023 and 30 June 2024) are not
subject to any taxation. The Company is not in scope for Bermuda Corporate
Income Tax Act 2023.

 

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)

 

5.               Earnings per share

The calculation of earnings per share is based on a profit after tax for the
period of £nil (for the periods to 31 December 2023 and 30 June 2024:
£nil) and a weighted average number of 10 ordinary shares in issue during the
period (for the periods 31 December 2023 and 30 June 2024: 10 ordinary
shares in issue).

 

 

6.               Dividends

There were no dividends paid or declared in respect of the period (for the
periods to 31 December 2023 and 30 June 2024: £nil).

 

 

7.               Other receivables

                                             31 December  31 December  30 June
                                             2024         2023         2024
                                             £'000s       £'000s       £'000s
 Loan to parent company - UIL Limited
   - Receivable within one year              -            39,764       40,778
 - Receivable after more than one year       64,641       61,124       62,837
                                             64,641       100,888      103,615

The loan is repayable on the date the underlying ZDP shares are redeemed.

 

 

8.               Zero dividend preference shares

 

                                       31 December  31 December  30 June
                                       2024         2023         2024
                                       £'000s       £'000s       £'000s
 ZDP shares - current liabilities
 2024 ZDP shares                       -            39,764       40,778
 ZDP shares - non-current liabilities
 2026 ZDP shares                       34,516       32,796       33,635
 2028 ZDP shares                       30,125       28,328       29,202
                                       64,641       61,124       62,837
 Total ZDP shares liabilities          64,641       100,888      103,615

 

 

Authorised ZDP shares of the Company as at 31 December 2024, 31 December 2023
and 30 June 2024 were as follows:

                                    Number      £'000s
 2022 ZDP shares of 5.3180p each    63,686,754  3,387
 2024 ZDP shares of 3.8025p each    76,717,291  2,917
 2026 ZDP shares of 10p each        25,000,000  2,500
 2028 ZDP shares of 3.8676p each    44,842,717  1,734

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)

 

8.               Zero dividend preference shares (continued)

 

ZDP shares issued by the Company are as follows:

 

 

Six months to 31 December 2024

                                                                                  Balance as at

                       Balance as at   Redemption of ZDP shares   Finance costs   31 December 2024

                       30 June 2024
 2024   Number         30,000,000      (30,000,000)               -               -
        £'000s         40,778          (41,505)                   727             -
 2026   Number         25,000,000      -                          -               25,000,000
        £'000s         33,635          -                          881             34,516
 2028   Number         25,000,000      -                          -               25,000,000
        £'000s         29,202          -                          923             30,125
 Total  £'000s         103,615         (41,505)                   2,531           64,641

 

Six months to 31 December 2023

                                                       Balance as at

                       Balance as at   Finance costs   31 December 2023

                       30 June 2023
 2024   Number         30,000,000      -               30,000,000
        £'000s         38,765          999             39,764
 2026   Number         25,000,000      -               25,000,000
        £'000s         31,979          817             32,796
 2028   Number         25,000,000      -               25,000,000
        £'000s         27,478          850             28,328
 Total  £'000s         98,222          2,666           100,888

 

Year to 30 June 2024

                       Balance as at  Finance costs  Balance as at

                       30 June 2023                  30 June 2024
 2024   Number         30,000,000     -              30,000,000
        £'000s         38,765         2,013          40,778
 2026   Number         25,000,000     -              25,000,000
        £'000s         31,979         1,656          33,635
 2028   Number         25,000,000     -              25,000,000
        £'000s         27,478         1,724          29,202
 Total  £'000s         98,222         5,393          103,615

 

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)

 

8.               Zero dividend preference shares (continued)

 

On 31 October 2024 the 30,000,000 2024 ZDP shares that were in issue were
redeemed at 138.35p per 2024 ZDP share.

 

UIL Limited held 2,309,620 2026 ZDP shares as at 31 December 2024, 31 December
2023 and 30 June 2024.

 

UIL Limited held 583,735 2028 ZDP shares as at 31 December 2023 and 30 June
2024. In the period UIL Limited purchased 195,000 2028 ZDP shares in the open
market, paying £0.2m. UIL Limited held 778,735 2028 ZDP shares at 31 December
2024.

 

2026 ZDP shares

Based on the initial entitlement of a 2026 ZDP share of 100p on 26 April 2018,
a 2026 ZDP share will have a final capital entitlement at the end of its life
on 31 October 2026 of 151.50p equating to a 5.00% per annum gross redemption
yield. The capital entitlement (excluding issue costs) per 2026 ZDP share as
at 31 December 2024 was 138.55p (31 December 2023: 131.90p and 30 June 2024:
135.15p).

 

2028 ZDP shares

Based on the initial entitlement of a 2028 ZDP share of 100p on 23 April 2021,
a 2028 ZDP share will have a final capital entitlement at the end of its life
on 31 October 2028 of 152.29p equating to a 5.75% per annum gross redemption
yield. The capital entitlement (excluding issue costs) per 2028 ZDP share as
at 31 December 2024 was 122.93p (31 December 2023: 116.21p and 30 June 2024:
119.49p).

 

The ZDP shares are listed in the Non-equity shares and non-voting equity
shares category of the Official List and to trading on the London Stock
Exchange and are stated at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
The ZDP shares carry no entitlement to income however they have a
pre-determined final capital entitlement which ranks behind all other
liabilities and creditors of the Company and UIL Limited but in priority to
the ordinary shares of the Company and UIL Limited save in respect of certain
winding up revenue profits of UIL Limited.

 

The growth of each ZDP share accrues daily and is reflected in the return and
net asset value per ZDP share on an effective interest method. The ZDP shares
do not carry any voting rights at general meetings of the Company. However,
the Company will not be able to carry out certain corporate actions unless it
obtains the separate approval of the ZDP shareholders (treated as a single
class) at a separate meeting. Separate approval of each class of ZDP
shareholders must be obtained in respect of any proposals which would affect
their respective rights, including any resolution to wind up the Company. In
addition the approval of ZDP shareholders by the passing of a special
resolution at separate class meetings of the ZDP shareholders is required in
relation to any proposal to modify, alter or abrogate the rights attaching to
any class of the ZDP shares and in relation to any proposal by the Company or
its parent company which would reduce the Group's cover of the existing ZDP
shares below 1.35 times.

 

On a liquidation of UIL Limited and/or the Company, to the extent that the
relevant classes of ZDP shares have not already been redeemed, the 2026 ZDP
shares shall rank in priority to the 2028 ZDP shares in relation to the
repayment of their accrued capital entitlement as at the date of liquidation.

 

The entitlement of ZDP Shareholders of a particular class shall be determined
in proportion to their holdings of ZDP shares of that class.

 

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)

 

9.               Ordinary share capital

 

                                                Number  £
 Authorised
 Ordinary shares of 10p each                    10      1
 Issued and nil paid
 Balance at 31 December 2024, 31 December 2023

 and 30 June 2024                               10      -

 

In addition to receiving any income distributed by way of dividend, the
ordinary shareholders will be entitled to all surplus assets after payment of
all debts, including ZDP shares.

 

Net asset value per ordinary share is £nil (31 December 2023: £nil and 30
June 2024: £nil) based on 10 shares in issue.

 

 

10.             Parent company

 

UIL Limited, incorporated in Bermuda, is the parent company of the Company,
holding 100% of the nil paid ordinary shares.

 

In the opinion of the Directors, the Company's ultimate parent undertaking is
Somers Isles Private Trust Company Limited ("SIPTCL"), a company incorporated
in Bermuda and owned by Mr Duncan Saville.

 

 

11.             Related party transactions

 

UIL Limited, SIPTCL, General Provincial Life Pension Fund Limited ("GPLPF")
which holds 78.2% of UIL Limited shares and the Board of the Company are
considered related parties. GPLPF is ultimately controlled by SIPTCL. Amounts
owing from related parties are disclosed in the financial statements in note
7, ZDP shares issued to UIL Limited are disclosed in note 8 and interest
receivable from related parties is disclosed in note 2.

 

 

12.             Operating Segments

 

The Directors are of the opinion that the Company's activities comprise a
single business segment of financing the Company's ZDP shares debt by lending
current asset funds to its parent company and therefore no segmental reporting
is provided.

 

UIL Finance Limited

 
 

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)

 

13.             Financial Risk Management

 

The Board of Directors is responsible for the Company's risk management. The
Directors' policies and processes for managing the financial risks are set out
in the interest rate exposure and credit risk management sections below.

 

The accounting policies which govern the reported Statement of Financial
Position carrying values of the underlying financial assets and liabilities,
as well as the related income and expenditure, are set out in note 1 to the
accounts. The policies are in compliance with IFRSs and best practice and
include the valuation of financial assets at fair value and the ZDP shares and
the inter-company loan at amortised cost.

 

Interest Rate exposure

The exposure of the financial assets and liabilities to interest risks is
shown below:

 

                                    Within    More than
                          Total     one year  one year
 31 December 2024         £'000s    £'000s    £'000s
 Exposure to fixed rates
 ZDP shares               (64,641)  -         (64,641)
 Intra-group loan         64,641    -         64,641
 Net exposures
 At period end             -        -         -
 Maximum in period         -        -         -
 Minimum in period         -        -         -

 

                                     Within    More than
                          Total      one year  one year
 31 December 2023         £'000s     £'000s    £'000s
 Exposure to fixed rates
 ZDP shares               (100,888)  (39,764)  (61,124)
 Intra-group loan         100,888    39,764    61,124
 Net exposures
 At period end             -         -         -
 Maximum in period         -         -         -
 Minimum in period         -         -         -

 

                                             Within    More than
                                  Total      one year  one year
 30 June 2024                     £'000s     £'000s    £'000s
 Exposure to fixed rates
 Zero dividend preference shares  (103,615)  (40,778)  (62,837)
 Intra-group loan                 103,615    40,778    62,837
 Net exposures
 At year end                       -         -         -
 Maximum in year                  -          -         -
 Minimum in year                   -         -         -

 

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)

 

13.             Financial Risk Management (continued)

 

Credit Risk exposure

The Company is exposed to potential failure by its parent company to settle
the ZDP share liability on behalf of the Company on the respective repayment
dates. The Board assesses this risk at each Board meeting.

 

2026 ZDP shares

Based on their final entitlement of 151.50p per share, the final entitlement
of the 2026 ZDP shares was covered 4.72 times by UIL Limited's gross assets as
at 31 December 2024. Should gross assets fall by 78.8% over the remaining life
of the 2026 ZDP shares, then the 2026 ZDP shares would not receive their final
entitlements in full. Should gross assets fall by 94.6%, equivalent to an
annual fall of 79.6%, the 2026 ZDP shares would receive no payment at the end
of their life.

 

2028 ZDP shares

Based on their final entitlement of 152.29p per share, the final entitlement
of the 2028 ZDP shares was covered 2.70 times by UIL Limited's gross assets as
at 31 December 2024. Should gross assets fall by 63.0% over the remaining life
of the 2028 ZDP shares, then the 2028 ZDP shares would not receive their final
entitlements in full. Should gross assets fall by 78.8%, equivalent to an
annual fall of 33.3%, the 2028 ZDP shares would receive no payment at the end
of their life.

 

None of the Company's financial liabilities is past due or impaired.

 

Fair Values of financial assets and liabilities

The assets and liabilities of the Company are, in the opinion of the
Directors, reflected in the Statement of Financial Position at fair value
except for the ZDP shares and the inter-company loan which are carried at
amortised cost using effective interest method in accordance with IFRS 9, or
at a reasonable approximation thereof.

 

The fair values of the ZDP shares based on their quoted market value were:

 

                  31 December  31 December  30 June
                  2024         2023         2024
                  £'000s       £'000s       £'000s
 2024 ZDP shares  n/a          38,100       39,900
 2026 ZDP shares  32,000       27,125       29,750
 2028 ZDP shares  27,750       22,375       24,500

 

Capital risk management

The objective of the Company is to finance and fund the redemption value of
the ZDP shares. The Board has a responsibility for ensuring the Company's
ability to continue as a going concern and to meet the redemption of the ZDP
shares. This is dependent on the asset performance of the parent company. As
at 31 December 2024, the parent company had net assets of £162,742,000 (31
December 2023: £170,283,000 and 30 June 2024: £136,927,000) after providing
for amounts due to ZDP shareholders.

 

 

UIL Finance Limited

 

CONDENSED NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (UNAUDITED) (CONTINUED)

 

14.             Going Concern

The Directors believe that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis
in preparing the accounts as the Company can continue to operate due to the
contractual obligation of the parent company to ensure that UIL Finance is
able to redeem the ZDP shares on each repayment date and the Directors are
comfortable that the parent company has the financial resources to do so.

 

The Board considered the parent company's going concern assessment which
focused on the forecast liquidity of the Group for 12 months from the date of
approval of the financial statements. This analysis assumes that the parent
company will meet some of its short term obligations through the sale of level
1 listed securities, which represented 17.6% of the parent company's total
portfolio as at 31 December 2024. As part of this assessment the board of the
parent company has considered a severe but plausible downside that reflects
the impact of the key risks set out in the Strategic Report of the Annual
Report and an assessment of the parent company's ability to meet its
liabilities as they fall due (including the loan liabilities), assuming a
significant reduction in asset values and accompanying currency volatility.

 

The severe but plausible downside assumes a significant reduction in asset
values in line with that experienced during the emergence of the COVID 19
pandemic in the first quarter of 2020. The parent company board also
considered reverse stress testing to identify the reduction in the valuation
of liquid investments that would cause the Group to be unable to meet its net
current liabilities, being primarily the loans of £13,065,000.  The parent
company board is confident that the reduction in asset values implied by the
reverse stress test is not plausible even in the current volatile environment.

 

Consequently, the Directors are confident that the Company will have
sufficient funds to continue to meet its liabilities as they fall due for at
least 12 months from the date of approval of the financial statements.
Accordingly, the Board considers it appropriate to continue to adopt the going
concern basis in preparing the accounts.

 

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