TIDMUKT

RNS Number : 3416H

Threadneedle UK Select Trust Ltd

16 August 2016

Threadneedle UK Select Trust Limited (the "Company")

16 August 2016

Announcement of Half-Yearly Results

Half-Yearly Results

The financial information set out in this announcement is the full unedited unaudited half-yearly financial report of the Company for the period ended 30 June 2016, as approved by the Board of Directors today. The half-yearly financial report will be uploaded onto the section of the investment manager's website

(http://www.threadneedle.co.uk/en/Intermediary/Funds/Investment-Companies/UK-Select-Trust-Limited/) and sent to shareholders shortly.

Enquiries:

JTC Fund Solutions (Guernsey) Limited

Secretary

Tel: + 44 (0) 1481 702400

Threadneedle UK Select Trust Limited

Half-Yearly Report and Condensed Unaudited Financial Statements

for the period 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2016

Threadneedle UK Select Trust Limited

Contents

Introductory Information 3

Financial Highlights 3

Cautionary Note and Forward Looking Statements 3

Directors and Advisors 4

Investment Objective and Policy 5

Chairman's Statement 6

Investment Manager's Report 7

The Portfolio 9

Industry Classification Benchmark Sector Distribution 10

Interim Management Report 11

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income 12

Condensed Statement of Financial Position 14

Condensed Statement of Net Assets Attributable to Shareholders 15

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows 16

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements 17

Introductory information

Threadneedle UK Select Trust Limited's (the "Company") ordinary shares are traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

The Company's share price is published daily under Investment Companies in the Share Information Service in the Financial Times. In addition it is published every Monday on the business pages of The Guernsey Press and Star and Jersey Evening Post.

Financial Highlights

 
                               Six months   Six months 
                                    ended        ended    Year ended 
                                  30 June      30 June   31 December 
                                     2016         2015          2015 
 
 Net asset value 
  per share                       190.80p      189.15p       189.40p 
 Equity Shareholders' 
 interest (1)                   GBP42.54m    GBP41.76m     GBP41.94m 
 Revenue return on 
  ordinary activities 
  for the financial 
  period/year after 
  taxation                       GBP0.80m     GBP0.52m      GBP0.90m 
 Capital return on 
  ordinary activities 
  for the financial 
  period/year after 
  taxation                       GBP0.12m     GBP1.30m      GBP1.41m 
 Revenue return per 
  ordinary share                    3.62p        2.35p         4.05p 
 Capital return per 
  ordinary share                    0.54p        5.86p         6.40p 
 Dividend per 
  ordinary share 
  (2)                               1.95p        1.90p         4.45p 
 Share Price (3)                  157.00p      177.50p        166.5p 
 Net asset value 
  total return 
  (4)                                1.4%         4.5%          5.7% 
 FTSE All-Share 
  total return                       4.3%         3.0%          1.0% 
 Ongoing Charges 
  (5)                                1.4%         1.4%          1.4% 
 
 
 

(1) At the start of 2016, the Company held 2,159,026 ordinary shares of 10p each in treasury. During the period the Company purchased no ordinary shares. From the shares held in Treasury, 153,932 ordinary shares of 10p each were issued as scrip during the period. 2,005,094 ordinary shares were held in treasury as at 30 June 2016. These have been held for re-sale in order to satisfy general market demand and / or to satisfy elections under the scrip dividend scheme.

(2) This dividend is the first interim dividend declared for the year (31 December 2015: includes second dividend declared for the year).

(3) Source: Daily Official List mid market closing price.

(4) Source: Datastream/Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Basis: Gross net income reinvested.

(5) The ongoing charge expense excludes performance fee, withholding tax and finance costs.

Dividends

Basic earnings per share for the half year amounted to 4.16p (30 June 2015: 8.21p) of which revenue earnings per share for the half year amounted to 3.62p (30 June 2015: 2.35p). The Board has declared an interim dividend of 1.95p per share (six months ended 30 June 2015: 1.90p), which will be paid on 31 October 2016 to shareholders on the register as at 19 August 2016. The Company intends to continue with the policy of paying a second interim dividend each year to shareholders in May of the following year.

Cautionary Note and Forward Looking Statements

The Investment Manager's Report (IMR) has been prepared solely to provide additional information to shareholders to assess the Company's strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. The IMR should not be relied on by any other party or for any other purpose.

The IMR contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are made by the Investment Manager in good faith based on the information available to it up to the time of its approval of that report and such statements should be treated with caution due to the inherent uncertainties, including both economic and business risk factors, underlying any such forward looking information.

Directors and Advisors

D J Warr (Chairman), resident in Guernsey, Non-executive chairman. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and joined the Board in 2006. He is also a non-executive director of Breedon Aggregates Limited, Hadrian's Wall Secured Investments Limited, Acorn Income Fund Limited and Aberdeen Frontier Markets Investment Company Limited.

J G West FCA, resident in the UK, Non-executive and Senior independent director. He joined the board in 1997. He is a chartered accountant, who has spent his career in asset management. He is currently the Chairman of CQS New City High Yield Fund Limited and a director of a number of public and private companies, including BlackRock Income Strategies Trust plc, JP Morgan Income and Capital Trust Plc and Aberdeen Smaller Companies High Income Trust. He is also Chairman of Associated British Foods Pension Fund Limited and former chief executive of Lazard Asset Management Limited.

S A Farnon, resident in Guernsey, Non-executive director and Audit Committee Chairman. She joined the board in 2012. She is a chartered accountant and was a banking and finance Partner with KPMG Channel Islands from 1990 until 2001, Head of Audit KPMG Channel Islands and a former member of The States of Guernsey Public Accounts Committee. She is a former Commissioner of The Guernsey Financial Services Commission and currently a non-executive director of Ravenscroft Limited, HICL Infrastructure Fund Limited, Breedon Aggregates Limited, Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust Limited and Apax Global Alpha Limited.

R P King, resident in Guernsey, Non-executive director and Risk Committee Chairman. He joined the board in 2014. He is a non-executive director for a number of open and closed ended investment funds and companies including Chenavari Capital Solutions Limited and Weiss Korea Opportunities Fund Limited. Prior to becoming an independent non-executive director, he worked in the offshore finance industry specialising in the operational administration of offshore open and closed ended investment funds.

Advisors

   Secretary, Administrator and Registered Office                         Registrar 

JTC Fund Solutions (Guernsey) Limited Capita Registrars (Guernsey) Limited

Ground Floor Mont Crevelt House

Dorey Court Bulwer Avenue

Admiral Park St Sampson

St Peter Port Guernsey GY2 4LH

Guernsey GY1 2HT 0870 162 3100

01481 702400

Investment Manager Broker and adviser

Threadneedle Asset Management Limited Canaccord Genuity Limited

78 Cannon Street 88 Wood Street

   London EC4N 6AG                                                                              London 

United Kingdom EC2V 7QR

020 7464 5000 020 7523 8000

   Banker and Custodian                                                                       Auditor 

HSBC Bank plc Deloitte LLP

8 Canada Square Regency Court

London E14 5HQ Glategny Esplanade

020 7991 888 St Peter Port

Guernsey GY1 3HW

01481 724011

Investment Objective and Policy

The Company's investment policy (as published in the Annual Financial Report for the year ended 31 December 2015) which the Company follows regarding asset allocation, risk diversification and gearing is set out below.

Objective

The Company's investment objective is to provide shareholders with a total return in excess of the total return on the FTSE All-Share Index, together with a progressive dividend policy.

Investment Policy

The Company is permitted to invest in any security listed or quoted on any UK stock exchange provided that no less than 80 per cent of its gross assets at the time an investment is made are invested in constituents of the FTSE All-Share index.

There are no minimum or maximum limits on the number of investments in the portfolio but it is expected that the portfolio will generally comprise shares and securities in 50 to 90 companies. The Company seeks to manage risk in part through heeding the following investment restrictions:

-- The top five holdings in the Company's portfolio may not exceed 40 per cent of the total value of the portfolio.

-- The top three sectors represented in the portfolio may not exceed 50 per cent of the total value of the portfolio.

-- The securities of no one company may represent more than 10 per cent of the value of the Company's portfolio measured at the time of acquisition and subsequently, when additions are made to the holding.

-- The Company will not hold more than 5 per cent of the issued share capital (or voting shares) in any one company.

-- While the Company may hold shares in other investment companies (including investment trusts), the Company will not invest more than 10 per cent, in aggregate, of the value of its total assets in other listed closed-ended investment funds (save to the extent that such closed-ended investment funds have published investment policies to invest no more than 15 per cent of their total assets in such other listed closed-ended investment funds).

Cash

The Company intends to be fully invested in normal market conditions but may hold up to 20 per cent of net asset value in cash on deposit (or in short-term money market instruments) during periods in which the Investment Manager believes markets are overvalued or expects them to fall.

Gearing

Gearing may be used selectively in order to leverage the Company's portfolio to enhance returns where the Board, in conjunction with the Investment Manager, considers it appropriate to do so. The Company's gearing stood at 7.05 per cent as at 30 June 2016.

Derivatives

Subject to the Board's prior approval, the Investment Manager is permitted to invest in options and other derivatives for the purposes of efficient portfolio management only.

Investment Process

The Investment Manager's investment approach is driven by stock selection, with a focus on risk and reward. Reward is derived from valuation and profit opportunity. In terms of risk, it is the level of business risk rather than index weight that determines position size in the portfolio, with portfolio risk minimised through diversification. Considerable emphasis is placed on identifying companies which are well managed, have sustainable franchises, strong balance sheets and cash flow generation, and which trade on attractive valuations relative to peers and history.

Chairman's Statement

Review of Performance

I am pleased to present your Company's Interim Report for the six months to 30 June 2016.

In the period, the net asset value total return was 1.4%, compared with the 4.3 % total return from the FTSE All-Share Index, the benchmark against which the Investment Manager's performance is measured. A more detailed explanation of the investment performance during the period is provided in the Investment Manager's Report on pages 7 and 8.

Share Price and Discount

During the period under review, the share price decreased by 5.7% from 166.5p to 157.0p and the discount at which the shares trade, relative to their net asset value, was 17.7% at the end of the period compared with 12.1% at the start of the period.

During the six months to 30 June 2016, the Company did not buy back any shares. 153,932 shares were issued from Treasury as scrip to satisfy the elections, by shareholders, for shares in lieu of the dividend paid in the period. At the period end, the Company held 2,005,094 shares in Treasury.

The Board continues to monitor the discount to net asset value at which the shares trade. Other than in the case of very substantial buybacks, which would be unsustainable for the Company at its present size, it is unlikely that share buybacks in themselves would minimise the discount. The Board however remains hopeful that, through a combination of strong investment performance and improving market sentiment, the share price will once again more closely reflect the underlying net asset value. The Board is also mindful that at the Company's 2017 Annual General Meeting and in accordance with the Company's Articles of Incorporation, shareholders will have an opportunity to vote on the Company's continuation.

Gearing

As more fully described in Note 6 to the Financial Statements, the Company has a GBP5 million revolving loan facility with Lloyds Bank Plc. At the period end, the Company had utilised GBP3million of this facility.

Dividend

Earnings per share for the half year amounted to 4.16p (30 June 2015: 8.21p). The Board has declared an interim dividend of 1.95p per share (30 June 2015: 1.90p).

D J Warr

Chairman

16 August 2016

Investment Manager's Report

Performance Review

In a highly volatile period for equities, the portfolio produced a positive return of 3.1%. Underperformance against the FTSE All-Share (which returned 4.3%) was driven by sector total allocation, where positive effects from our underweight in financials were offset by detraction from our overweight in consumer discretionary and our underweight in energy. Financials and consumer discretionary saw sharp falls towards the end of the period as investors worried about the prospects for both sectors following the Brexit vote. By contrast, energy stocks rallied on firming commodity prices. However, we feel that much of the gains in mining companies are due to the stocks having previously been oversold rather than any significant shift in fundamentals. For this reason, we remain comfortable with our zero weighting in mining stocks.

In contrast to sector allocation, our stock selection was particularly supportive in consumer discretionary and industrials. Strong stock-level performers included Royal Dutch Shell, which not only benefited from the rally in the oil price but also rose sharply after the Brexit vote, as sterling weakness should boost the value of its overseas earnings. Consumer-goods giant Unilever and tobacco business Imperial Brands also rallied as investors moved towards non-cyclical stocks. With the Brexit vote heightening concerns over the financial sector, our zero weightings in Lloyds, Aviva and Royal Bank of Scotland added to relative returns.

Laggards included Crest Nicholson and Derwent London, as doubts emerged over the prospects for the UK construction industry in the wake of the Brexit vote. The uncertainty surrounding the financial sector led to falls in the share prices of Legal & General and St. James's Place. Amid stronger oil prices, our zero weighting in BP detracted from relative returns.

Portfolio Activity

Key activity during the period included opening and then building up a holding in building-materials business CRH. The company provides good exposure to infrastructure construction, and we believe that it should be able to produce increasing returns. We also took advantage of share-price weakness to open a position in broadcaster ITV. Though the company faces short-term weakness due to worries over advertising revenues, we are encouraged by management's confidence in the company's outlook. ITV continues to sell a significant amount of content and has an attractive free cashflow yield. Another addition to the portfolio was automotive company Inchcape, whose long-term outlook is supported by its exposure to premium brands. We feel that the Volkswagen emissions scandal last year caused the market to be overly cautious on the stock, especially as it is supported by a very strong free cashflow yield. We also added to core positions such as Prudential.

Among the main sales during the period was HSBC. We exited our position as we feel that the bank faces relative diseconomies of scale, and we favour other companies in the sector. We also sold our holding in Phoenix Group, as we looked to reduce our exposure to life insurance.

Investment Manager's Report (continued)

Market Background

UK equities rose 4.3% during the six-month period under review, but this figure masked some big swings, particularly following the turn of the year. Despite interest-rate "lift off" in the US in December, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney reiterated that UK rates were likely to remain low "for some time". In January, equities at home and overseas were rattled by low and volatile oil prices, weakening Chinese economic growth and concerns over its global impact, and the question of how central banks would respond to these issues.

Markets subsequently rallied in mid-February, helped by an improvement in commodity prices and some better economic data from China. During the spring, the firming of commodity prices helped stabilise UK equities, despite data showing that growth in the UK had slowed in the first quarter.

The referendum on the UK's membership of the EU, which took place on 23 June, was a later source of instability, putting downward pressure on sterling. When a leave result was announced, markets took another sharp downward lurch, before rallying at the end of June.

Outlook

The decision to leave the EU has created significant economic and political uncertainty. A mild UK recession is likely and indeed the Bank of England has responded meaningfully to reduce interest rates and expand QE. Across the globe, the authorities are using various stimulus measures to try and deliver economic growth, and in some cases government bond yields are now in negative territory. Therefore, equities that can deliver reliable, well-covered dividend streams should continue to be sought after.

We are still wary of other macroeconomic issues. At present, China is wrestling with its own banking crisis, policy fatigue is widespread, global growth is slowing and debt levels are heightened. The UK's Brexit vote is also likely to cause further political and economic challenges for Europe.

Following the leave vote, larger caps and defensive stocks have been far more resilient in these choppy markets. While investors may be tempted to sell down domestics and buy more dollar earners, we would argue it is probably now too late to make this adjustment given the scale of the outperformance of defensive large caps versus cyclical domestic stocks since the vote.

Mergers & acquisitions will continue to be a key theme, as overseas companies see the weaker pound as an opportunity to dust down UK bid targets. UK investors who can maintain a longer-term focus and withstand some turbulent times will likely be rewarded with exciting opportunities.

Chris Kinder

Portfolio Manager

Columbia Threadneedle Investments*

16 August 2016

*Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

The Portfolio as at 30 June 2016

 
                              Market                              Market 
      Company                  Value                   Company     Value 
                             GBP'000                             GBP'000 
 
  1   Royal Dutch Shell        2,076   43   Derwent London           375 
  2   Imperial Tobacco         1,797   44   Stagecoach               351 
  3   GlaxoSmithKline          1,709   45   Grainger                 345 
  4   BT Group                 1,663   46   Burberry Group           335 
  5   Unilever                 1,617   47   PZ Cussons               260 
  6   AstraZeneca              1,602   48   Essentra                 258 
      Reckitt Benckiser 
  7    Group                   1,585   49   Wetherspoon              245 
      British American 
  8    Tobacco                 1,397   50   Greene King              238 
  9   Prudential               1,302   51   Standard Chartered       238 
 10   Smith & Nephew           1,123   52   Barclays                 229 
 11   Reed Elsevier            1,105   53   Bellway                  228 
 12   Legal and General        1,072   54   Headlam Group            219 
      London Stock 
 13    Exchange Group          1,067   55   ARM Holdings             209 
 14   Diageo                   1,064   56   RPC Group                204 
 15   Rio Tinto                1,024   57   Intermed Cap             187 
      Intercontinental 
 16    Hotels                    854   58   Ultra Electronics        180 
 17   Wolseley                   852   59   Hunting                  173 
 18   Wood Group (John)          837   60   Aggreko                  172 
 19   CRH                        804   61   Inchcape                 149 
 20   Johnson Matthey            798   62   IMI                      124 
 21   GKN                        797   63   Melrose Industries        95 
 22   Compass Group              771   64   De La Rue                 73 
 23   Sage Group                 753   65   Rolls Royce RTS            6 
 24   ITV                        739 
 25   BAE Systems                739 
      Daily Mail & 
 26    General                   645 
                                                                -------- 
 27   Berendsen                  634           Total Valuation    42,955 
                                                                ======== 
 28   St James's Place           625 
 29   Rentokil                   624 
 30   Merlin Ent.                606 
 31   Carnival                   606 
 32   Royal Mail                 577 
 33   Crest Nicholson            549 
      RSA Insurance 
 34    Group                     531 
 35   Pearson                    499 
 36   Rolls Royce Holdings       481 
 37   Smiths Group               463 
 38   Booker Group               447 
 39   Smith (DS)                 434 
 40   FDM Group                  428 
 41   Schroders                  390 
 42   Breedon Aggregates         376 
 
 

Industry Classification Benchmark ("ICB") Sector Distribution at 30 June 2016

 
                                         Total     Total 
                                       30 June   30 June 
                                          2016      2015 
 Classification                              %         % 
-----------------------------------   --------  -------- 
 Oil and Gas 
 Oil and gas producers                     4.9       5.6 
 Oil Equipment, Services 
  and Distribution                         2.4       2.3 
                                           7.3       7.9 
 -----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Industrials 
 Construction and materials                2.7       0.7 
 Aerospace and defence                     3.3       3.8 
 General industrials                       2.6       3.8 
 Industrial engineering                    0.5       1.9 
 Support services                          6.2       6.8 
 Industrial transportation                 1.4       1.4 
                                          16.7      18.4 
 -----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Basic Materials 
 Chemicals                                 1.9       1.9 
 Industrial metals and 
  mining                                   2.4       2.8 
------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                           4.3       4.7 
 -----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Consumer goods 
 Automobiles and parts                     1.9       2.0 
 Beverages                                 2.5       2.3 
 Household goods and home 
  construction                             6.1       6.1 
 Tobacco                                   7.5       5.6 
 Personal goods                            5.2       4.5 
                                          23.2      20.5 
 -----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Consumer Services 
 General retailers                         0.4         - 
 Travel and leisure                        8.6       8.2 
 Food and drug retailers                   1.1       2.0 
 Media                                     7.0       5.5 
------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
                                          17.1      15.7 
 -----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Health Care 
 Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology         7.8       6.9 
 Health care equipment 
  and Services                             2.6       2.0 
                                          10.4       8.9 
 -----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Telecommunications 
 Fixed line telecommunications             3.9       4.4 
                                           3.9       4.4 
 -----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Technology 
 Software and computer 
  services                                 2.8       3.6 
 Technology hardware and 
  equipment                                0.5         - 
-----------------------------------   --------  -------- 
                                           3.3       3.6 
 -----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Financials 
 Banks                                     1.1       4.4 
 Financial services                        3.9       5.1 
 Real estate                               1.7       2.1 
 Non-life insurance                        1.3       2.0 
 Life assurance                            7.1       4.2 
                                          15.1      17.8 
 -----------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Net current (liabilities)/ 
  assets                                 (1.3)     (1.9) 
------------------------------------  --------  -------- 
 Net assets                              100.0     100.0 
====================================  ========  ======== 
 Note: The distribution of investments is based 
  on the valuations at 30 June 2016 and at 30 
  June 2015. All of the investments are listed 
  or quoted on the London Stock Exchange. 
 

Interim Management Report

To the best of the knowledge of the directors:

-- the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' and gives a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss of the Company;

-- the Chairman's Statement, Investment Manager's Report and Notes to the Financial Statements are incorporated herein by reference and include a fair review of the development and performance of the Company and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties that it faces for the next six months, as required by DTR 4.2.7R of the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules; and

-- There were no related party transactions in the period, nor any changes in related party transactions described in the last annual report, that could have a material effect on the financial position of the Company in the period, other than as disclosed in the financial statements. Details of related parties are set out in note 9 to the financial statements, all as required by DTR 4.2.8R of the FCA's Disclosure and Transparency Rules.

By order of the Board

D J Warr

16 August 2016

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income

for the six months ended 30 June 2016 (unaudited)

 
 
                                            Six months ended 30         Six months ended 
                                                 June 2016                30 June 2015 
                            Notes       Revenue  Capital    Total  Revenue  Capital    Total 
                                        GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000  GBP'000 
Income 
Dividend and other 
 revenue 3                                1,072        -    1,072      834        -      834 
Net gains on financial 
 assets 
 at fair value through 
 profit or loss 5                             -      237      237        -    1,436    1,436 
Net foreign exchange 
 gains                                        -        -     -           -        1        1 
                                        -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
                                          1,072      237    1,309      834    1,437    2,271 
                                        -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
Expenses 
Investment management 
 fees                           9            26       76      102       27       82      109 
Performance 
 fee                            9             6       19       25        9       28       37 
Administration 
 fees                           9            54        -       54       53        -       53 
Registrar's 
 fees                                        15        -       15        8        -        8 
Auditor's 
 fees                                        12        -       12       14        -       14 
Directors' fees 
 and expenses                   9            57        -       57       60        -       60 
Other expenses                               96        -       96      132        -      132 
                                        -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
Total operating 
 expenses before 
 finance costs                              266       95      361      303      110      413 
                                        -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
Operating profit 
 before finance 
 costs                                      806      142      948      531    1,327    1,858 
 
Finance costs 
Interest and 
 other finance 
 cost payable                   6             7       22       29        8       25       33 
                                        -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
Profit for the 
 period                                     799      120      919      523    1,302    1,825 
 
Basic and diluted 
 earnings per ordinary 
 share                          4         3.62p    0.54p    4.16p    2.35p    5.86p    8.21p 
                                        -------  -------  -------  -------  -------  ------- 
 
 

The total column of this statement is the condensed statement of comprehensive income of the Company, with the revenue and capital columns representing voluntary supplementary information.

All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. All income is attributable to the ordinary shareholders of the Company.

The Notes on pages 17 to 22 are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Comprehensive Income (continued)

for the six months ended 30 June 2016 (unaudited)

 
 
                                        Year ended 31 December 2015 
                             Notes     Revenue     Capital      Total 
                                       GBP'000     GBP'000    GBP'000 
Income 
Dividend revenue               3         1,507           -      1,507 
Net gains on financial 
 assets at fair value 
 through profit or 
 loss                          5             -       1,698      1,698 
Net foreign exchange 
 gains                                       -           1          1 
                                    ----------  ----------  --------- 
                                         1,507       1,699      3,206 
                                    ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
Expenses 
Investment management 
 fees                          9            53         159        212 
Performance fees               9            26          78        104 
Administration 
 fees                          9           108           -        108 
Registrar's 
 fees                                       16           -         16 
Auditor's fees                              26           -         26 
Directors' fees and 
 expenses                      9           115           -        115 
Other expenses                             252           -        252 
                                    ----------  ----------  --------- 
Total operating expenses 
 before finance costs                      596         237        833 
                                    ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
Operating profit 
 before finance costs                      911       1,462      2,373 
 
Finance costs 
Interest and other 
 finance cost payable          6            16          48         64 
                                    ----------  ----------  --------- 
 
Profit for the year                        895       1,414      2,309 
                                    ==========  ==========  ========= 
 
Basic and diluted 
 earnings per ordinary 
 share                         4         4.05p       6.40p     10.45p 
                                    ----------  ----------  --------- 
 

The total column of this statement is the condensed statement of comprehensive income of the Company, with the revenue and capital columns representing voluntary supplementary information.

All revenue and capital items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. All income is attributable to the ordinary shareholders of the Company.

The Notes on pages 17 to 22 are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Financial Position

as at 30 June 2016 (unaudited)

 
 
 
                                        30 June      30 June   31 December 
                             Notes         2016         2015          2015 
                                        GBP'000      GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Assets 
 Cash and cash 
  equivalents                             2,744        2,366         2,266 
 Other receivables 
  and accrued income                        221           84            94 
 Financial assets 
  at fair value through 
  profit or loss               5         42,955       42,554        42,827 
                                    -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 Total assets                            45,920       45,004        45,187 
                                    -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 
 Liabilities 
 Due to brokers                             205           78             - 
 Other payables 
  and accrued 
  expenses                                  173          163           247 
 Borrowings                    6          3,000        3,000         3,000 
 Total liabilities                        3,378        3,241         3,247 
                                    -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 
 Net assets attributable 
  to shareholders                        42,542       41,763        41,940 
                                    -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 
 Represented 
  by 
 Share capital                 7          2,430        2,430         2,430 
 Treasury share 
  reserve                      7        (3,631)      (3,991)       (3,879) 
 Reserves                                43,743       43,324        43,389 
                                    -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 
 Net assets attributable 
  to shareholders                        42,542       41,763        41,940 
                                    -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 
 Number of ordinary 
  shares in issue (net 
  of treasury shares)          7     22,296,998   22,079,681    22,143,066 
 
 Net asset value per 
  share                        8         190.80       189.15       189.40p 
                                    -----------  -----------  ------------ 
 

These financial statements were approved by the Board of directors on 16 August 2016 and signed on behalf of the Board by:

D J Warr

The Notes on pages 17 to 22 are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Net Assets Attributable to Shareholders

for the six months ended 30 June 2016 (unaudited)

 
                   Equity   Treasury                  Capital                           Capital 
                    share      share      Share    redemption             Capital      reserve-    Revenue 
                  capital    reserve    premium       reserve    reserve-realised    unrealised    reserve     Total 
                  GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000             GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000 
 At 1 January 
  2016              2,430    (3,879)     11,307         4,308              17,511         5,472      4,791    41,940 
 Shares 
  repurchased 
  during 
  the period            -          -          -             -                   -             -          -         - 
 Dividends              -          -          -             -                   -             -      (317)     (317) 
 Shares 
  issued 
  for scrip 
  dividends             -        248          -             -               (248)             -          -         - 
 Net profit             -          -          -             -               (378)           498        799       919 
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ---------  -------- 
 At 30 
  June 2016         2,430    (3,631)     11,307         4,308              16,885         5,970      5,273    42,542 
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ---------  -------- 
 

There were no other recognised income and expenses for the six months ended 30 June 2016

For the six months ended 30 June 2015 (unaudited)

 
                   Equity   Treasury                  Capital                           Capital 
                    share      share      Share    redemption             Capital      reserve-    Revenue 
                  capital    reserve    premium       reserve    reserve-realised    unrealised    reserve     Total 
                  GBP'000    GBP'000    GBP'000       GBP'000             GBP'000       GBP'000    GBP'000   GBP'000 
 At 1 January 
  2015              2,192    (3,724)     11,307         4,308              16,714         5,296      4,425    40,756 
 Shares 
  repurchased 
  during 
  the period            -      (516)          -             -                   -             -          -     (516) 
 Dividends              -          -          -             -                   -             -      (302)     (295) 
 Shares 
  issued 
  for scrip 
  dividends             -        249          -             -               (249)             -          -         - 
 Net profit             -          -          -             -                 717           585        523     1,825 
 At 30 
  June 2015         2,430    (3,991)     11,307         4,308              17,182         5,881      4,646    41,763 
                ---------  ---------  ---------  ------------  ------------------  ------------  ---------  -------- 
 

There were no other recognised income and expenses for the six months ended 30 June 2015

The Notes on pages 17 to 22 are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

for the six months ended 30 June 2016 (unaudited)

 
 
                                     Six months ended     Year ended 
                                     30 June   30 June   31 December 
                                        2016      2015          2015 
                                     GBP'000   GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Cash flows from operating 
  activities 
 Payment on purchase of 
  financial investments              (4,169)   (2,404)       (5,232) 
 Proceeds from sale of 
  financial investments                4,369     5,313         8,053 
 Dividends received from 
  investments                          1,055       842         1,507 
 Investment management 
  fee paid                             (104)     (104)         (209) 
 Other operating expenses              (325)     (366)         (615) 
 
 Net cash inflow from 
  operating activities                   826     3,281         3,504 
                                   ---------  --------  ------------ 
 
 Cash flows from financing 
  activities 
 Interest paid                          (31)      (68)          (84) 
 Share repurchase                          -     (516)         (596) 
 Share subscriptions                       -         -             - 
 Equity dividends paid                 (317)     (302)         (529) 
 Decrease in long term 
  loan                                     -   (1,000)       (1,000) 
 
 Net cash outflow from 
  financing activities                 (348)   (1,886)       (2,209) 
                                   ---------  --------  ------------ 
 
 Net increase in cash and 
  cash equivalents                       478     1,395         1,295 
 
 Effect of exchange rate 
  changes on cash and cash 
  equivalents                              -         1             1 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the beginning of the 
  period/year                          2,266       970           970 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents 
  at the end of the period/year        2,744     2,366         2,266 
                                   ---------  --------  ------------ 
 

The Notes on pages 17 to 22 are an integral part of these condensed financial statements.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)

   1.         General information 

The Company is an authorised closed-ended investment company incorporated under The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, as amended, with its registered office situated at Ground Floor, Dorey Court, Admiral Park, St Peter Port, Guernsey GY1 2HT. The Company's shares have been admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority with a premium listing and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market for listed securities.

The Company has no employees.

The information presented for the year ended 31 December 2015 does not constitute the statutory financial statements of the Company. The 31 December 2015 annual financial report was made public on 18 April 2016. The auditor's report on those financial statements was unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 263(2) of The Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008, as amended. A copy of the 2015 annual financial report can be found on www.columbiathreadneedle.co.uk.

   2.         Accounting Policies 
   a.         Basis of presentation 

The financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), as adopted by the European Union.

The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly report for the six months ended 30 June 2016 has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 'Interim Financial Reporting' as adopted by the European Union.

   b.         Standards and interpretations 

The accounting policies applied in the half-yearly report are consistent with those of the annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2015, as described in those financial statements.

   c.         Going Concern 

Having reassessed the principal risks for the next twelve months, the directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the interim financial information.

The directors have arrived at this opinion by considering, inter alia, the following factors:

   --      the Company has sufficient liquidity to meet all on-going expenses; 

-- the portfolio of investments held by the Company consists of listed investments which are readily realisable and therefore the Company will have sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements;

-- as at 30 June 2016, the Company had GBP3 million of external borrowings, but was under no obligation to repay any borrowing facilities. As at the date of approval of the annual financial report the Company had in place a two year GBP5 million loan facility with Lloyds Bank Plc expiring on 26 March 2017, of which GBP3 million had been utilised; and

-- having reassessed the principal risks as described in the annual financial report for the year ended 31 December 2015, the directors consider that these risks have not substantially changed in respect of the current financial year.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

   d.         Segment Reporting 

The Board of directors is of the opinion that the Company is organised in one main operating segment, namely the management of the Company's investments in order to achieve the Company's investment objectives as described in note 1 to the financial statements.

   3.         Dividend and other revenue 
 
                           Six months ended     Year ended 
                           30 June   30 June   31 December 
                              2016      2015          2015 
                           GBP'000   GBP'000       GBP'000 
 Dividend revenue 
  from investments 
  designated at fair 
  value through profit 
  or loss: 
 Dividends                   1,072       833         1,507 
 Other Income                    -         1             - 
                         ---------  --------  ------------ 
 Total income                1,072       834         1,507 
                         ---------  --------  ------------ 
 
 
   4.         Basic return per ordinary share 
 
                                              Six months 
               Six months ended                  ended                    Year ended 
                                                                          31 December 
                 30 June 2016                30 June 2015                     2015 
           Revenue   Capital   Total   Revenue   Capital   Total   Revenue   Capital   Total 
             pence     pence   pence     pence     pence   Pence     pence     pence   pence 
 Return       3.62      0.54    4.16      2.35      5.86    8.21      4.05      6.40   10.45 
          ========  ========  ======  ========  ========  ======  ========  ========  ====== 
 

Revenue return per ordinary share is based on the net revenue on ordinary activities of GBP799,000 (six months ended 30 June 2015: GBP523,000. Year ended 31 December 2015: GBP895,000) and on 22,062,441 ordinary shares, being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period, net of treasury shares (six months ended 30 June 2015: 22,227,231. Year ended 31 December 2015: 22,097,140).

Capital return per ordinary share is based on a net capital profit for the financial period of GBP120,000 (Six months ended 30 June 2015: capital profit GBP1,302,000. Year ended 31 December 2015: capital profit GBP1,414,000) and on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue as stated above.

Earnings per ordinary share are based on a total profit for the financial period of GBP919,000 (six months ended 30 June 2015: profit GBP1,825,000. Year ended 31 December 2015: profit GBP2,309,000) and on the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue as stated above.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

   5.         Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss 
 
                                                            Six months          Six months            Year ended 
                                                               ended               ended 
                                                              30 June             30 June             31 December 
                                                                2016                2015                  2015 
                                                                    % of                % of 
                                                          Fair       net      Fair       net      Fair        % of 
                                                          Value     assets    Value     assets    Value     net assets 
                                                         GBP'000             GBP'000             GBP'000 
 Financial assets 
  at fair value through 
  profit or loss 
 
       *    Listed or quoted equity securities            42,955    100.97    42,554    101.90    42,827        102.11 
                                                          42,955    100.97    42,554    101,90    42,827        102.11 
                                                        --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  ------------ 
 
 
                                                                         Six months ended                   Year ended 
                                                                        30                  30 
                                                                      June                June             31 December 
                                                                      2016                2015                    2015 
 Net gains on financial                                            GBP'000             GBP'000                 GBP'000 
  assets at fair value 
  through profit or loss 
 Realised (losses)/gains                                             (261)                 855                   1,552 
 Unrealised gains                                                      498                 581                     176 
                                                                  --------            --------  ---------------------- 
 
                                                                       237               1,436                   1,698 
                                                                  --------            --------  ---------------------- 
 
 
 

Fair value measurements

The Company adopted the amendment to IFRS 13, effective 1 January 2014. IFRS 13 establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritises the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under IFRS 13 are as follows:

Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (that is, as prices) or indirectly (that is, derived from prices); and

Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (that is, unobservable inputs).

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is categorised in its entirety is determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. For this purpose, the significance of an input is assessed against the fair value measurement in its entirety. If a fair value measurement uses observable inputs that require significant adjustment based on unobservable inputs, that measurement is a level 3 measurement. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

   5.         Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (continued) 

The determination of what constitutes 'observable' requires significant judgment by the Company. The Company considers observable data to be that market data that is readily available, regularly distributed or updated, reliable and verifiable, not proprietary, and provided by independent sources that are actively involved in the relevant market.

The following tables present the Company's financial assets and liabilities by level within the valuation hierarchy:

 
                                 Percentage             Percentage                   Percentage 
                       30 June       of net        30       of net     31 December       of net 
                          2016       assets      June       assets            2015       assets 
                                                 2015 
 Level 1 fair          GBP'000            %   GBP'000            %         GBP'000            % 
  value assets 
 Investments 
  valued at 
  fair value            42,955       100.97    42,554       101.90          42,827       102.11 
 
 Level 2 fair 
  value assets 
 Investments 
  valued at 
  fair value                 -            -         -            -               -            - 
 Total fair 
  value financial 
  assets                42,955       100.97    42,554       101.90          42,827       102.11 
                    ==========  ===========  ========  ===========  ==============  =========== 
 
   6.         Loan facility 

On 26 March 2014 the Company entered into a one year GBP5 million revolving loan facility with Lloyds Bank Plc (the "Bank"), secured on the assets of the Company, for investment purposes. On 19 March 2015 the loan facility was extended until 26 March 2017. As at 30 June 2016, GBP3,000,000 of the loan facility was being utilised. Interest is payable at a rate of Sterling LIBOR plus 1.1%, payable quarterly in arrears, and the borrowing is held at amortised cost. Loan interest of GBP25,800 was paid during the period. A fee of 0.39% per annum is payable on the undrawn amount of this facility, resulting in GBP1,040 being paid for the period under review. GBP1,900 of the GBP10,000 loan arrangement fee was amortised over the period and also included in finance costs. In addition, the Company is required to comply with the following covenants imposed by the Bank:

-- the Company is required to ensure that the borrowing does not at any time exceed 20% of the Adjusted Gross Asset Value*;

-- the Company is required to maintain the Net Worth (meaning net asset value adjusted for such items as intangible assets and unrealised gains or losses accrued since the date of the audited annual financial reports) at not less that GBP20,000,000;

-- the Company is required to ensure that the investment portfolio includes holdings in not less than 25 separate businesses; and

-- the Company is required not to change its investment policy without the written permission of the Bank.

* Adjusted Gross Asset Value means the market value of Total Gross Assets adjusted by deducting:

a) The value of unlisted investments;

b) The amount by which any single investment exceeds 7.5% of the investment portfolio;

c) The amount by which the investment in a single ICB Investment Sector exceeds 20% of the investment portfolio; and

d) The amount by which the largest 10 investments exceeds 50% of the investment portfolio.

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

   7.         Share capital 
 
                                        30 June     30 June       31 December 
                                           2016        2015              2015 
                                        GBP'000     GBP'000           GBP'000 
 Authorised 
 Unlimited number of shares                   -           -                 - 
                                       --------    --------    -------------- 
 

The holders of the ordinary shares are entitled to receive notice of and to attend and vote at General Meetings of the Company. At such meetings on a show of hands each Shareholder shall have one vote and on a poll each Shareholder shall have one vote for each share held by them. The Company is not entitled to any votes in respect of any ordinary shares held in treasury.

On a winding-up, any surplus assets remaining after the payment of all creditors shall be divided amongst the shareholders in the same proportion as the capital attributable to them on the winding-up date.

 
                                                                           30 
                                                    30 June              June    31 December 
                                                      2016               2015           2015 
 Issued, called up and 
  fully paid:                                       GBP'000           GBP'000        GBP'000 
 24,302,092 (2015: 24,302,092) 
  ordinary shares of 10p each 
 including 2,005,094 
  treasury shares (2015: 
  2,159,026)                                         2,430              2,430          2,430 
                                               =================  ===========  =============  ========= 
 
                                                            30 June 2016 
                                          Treasury                         Shares in            Share 
                                        Share reserve                        issue             Premium 
                                  Shares              Cost           Shares         Cost         Cost 
                                 Nominal            GBP'000         Nominal       GBP'000      GBP'000 
 Balance at 1 
  January 
  2016                              2,159,026              3,879   24,302,092          2,430    11,307 
 Shares purchased and                                                                                - 
  held in Treasury                          -                  -            -              - 
 Shares sold from Treasury 
  in lieu of dividends              (153,932)              (248)            -              -         - 
 Balance at 30 June 
  2016                              2,005,094              3,631   24,302,092          2,430    11,307 
                            -----------------  -----------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 
                                                               31 December 2015 
                                          Treasury                         Shares in            Share 
                                        Share reserve                        issue             Premium 
                                  Shares              Cost           Shares         Cost         Cost 
                                 Nominal            GBP'000         Nominal       GBP'000      GBP'000 
 Balance at 1 
  January 
  2015                              2,070,920              3,724   24,302,092          2,430    11,307 
 Shares purchased and 
  held in Treasury                    343,000                596            -              -         - 
 Shares sold from Treasury 
  in lieu of dividends              (254,894)              (441)            -              -         - 
 Balance at 31 December 
  2015                              2,159,026              3,879   24,302,092          2,430    11,307 
                            -----------------  -----------------  -----------  -------------  --------- 
 
 
 
 

Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

   7.         Share capital (continued) 

On 13 May 2016, 153,932 shares with a value of GBP247,943 were issued to shareholders who elected to receive them in lieu of a first interim cash dividend for 2016. Ordinary shares of 10p each, fully paid were issued to shareholders from the Treasury Share reserve held by the Company.

   8.         Net asset value per share 

The net asset value per ordinary share is based on net assets attributable to the ordinary shareholders of GBP42,542,000 (six months ended 30 June 2015: GBP41,763,000, year ended 31 December 2015: GBP41,940,000) and on 22,296,998 (six months ended 30 June 2015: 22,079,681, year ended 31 December 2015: 22,143,066) ordinary shares, being the number of ordinary shares in issue at the end of the period, net of shares held in treasury.

   9.         Related party transactions 

The members of the Board of directors are listed on page 4 of the half-yearly report. Fees earned and allowable expenses claimed by the directors of the Company in the course of their duties are disclosed on page 12.

Amerprise Financial Inc., the parent of the Investment Manager, controlled the voting rights attached to 22.02% of the Company's shares as at 30 June 2016. The Investment Manager exercises discretion over these shares on behalf of its clients.

The Investment Manager earned investment management fees of GBP101,800 (six months ended 30 June 2015: GBP108,800, year ended 31 December 2015: GBP212,000) during the period of which GBP54,200 (six months ended 30 June 2015: GBP54,200, year ended 31 December 2015: GBP52,000) was outstanding at the reporting date. In addition GBP25,600 performance fees were accrued for the period (six months ended 30 June 2015: GBP37,400, year ended 31 December 2015: GBP104,000).

The Company has appointed JTC Fund Solutions (Guernsey) Limited to provide secretarial, administrative and accounting services. Secretarial and administration fees (including the accounting fee) for the period ended 30 June 2016 totalled GBP54,000 (six months ended 30 June 2015: GBP53,300, year ended 31 December 2015: GBP107,500) of which GBP54,000 (six months ended 30 June 2015: GBP53,300, year ended 31 December 2015: GBP53,800) was outstanding at the period end.

   10.       Events after the reporting date 

There have been no significant events after the reporting date which in the opinion of the Board of directors requires disclosure in the financial statements.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

IR SFMFLMFMSESA

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

August 16, 2016 10:15 ET (14:15 GMT)

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