Half-year Report

RNS Number : 6507P
City of London Investment Trust PLC
19 February 2021
 

 

LEGAL ENTITY IDENTIFIER: 213800F3NOTF47H6AO55

 

 

THE CITY OF LONDON INVESTMENT TRUST PLC

Unaudited Results for the Half-Year Ended 31 December 2020

 

 

This announcement contains regulated information

 

 

INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE

 

The Company's objective is to provide long-term growth in income and capital, principally by investment in equities listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Board continues to recognise the importance of dividend income to shareholders.

 

 

PERFORMANCE

 

 

 

As at
31 December 2020

As at
30 June 2020

Net asset value ("NAV") per ordinary share

357.4p

344.0p

Premium/(discount)

3.7%

(1.2%)

Net asset value per ordinary share (debt at fair value)

351.2p

338.7p

Premium (debt at fair value)

5.5%

0.4%

Ordinary share price

370.5p

340.0p

Gearing (at par value)

8.6%

9.7%

 

 

 

Dividend yields

As at
31 December 2020

As at
30 June 2020

The City of London Investment Trust plc

5.4%

5.6%

FTSE All-Share Index (Benchmark)

3.0%

4.2%

AIC UK Equity Income sector

5.1%

4.9%

IA UK Equity Income OEIC sector

3.9%

5.5%

 

Sources: Morningstar for the AIC, Bloomberg

 

Total return performance to 31 December 2020

(including dividends reinvested and excluding transaction costs)

6 months %

1 year %

3 years
%

5 years
%

10 years
%

Net asset value per ordinary share 1

6.9

-13.8

-6.1

16.0

95.0

Ordinary share price2

12.3

-11.8

-2.7

19.8

96.0

FTSE All-Share Index (Benchmark)

9.3

-9.8

-2.7

28.5

71.9

AIC UK Equity Income sector 3

12.0

-9.7

-1.1

24.7

100.9

IA UK Equity Income OEIC sector4

11.9

-10.9

-4.3

16.2

76.9

 

Sources: Morningstar for the AIC, Janus Henderson, Refinitiv Datastream

 

1 Net asset value per ordinary share total return with debt at fair value

2 Share price total return using mid-market closing price

3 AIC UK Equity Income sector size weighted average NAV total return (shareholders' funds)

4 The Investment Association ("IA") peer group average is based on mid-day NAV whereas the returns of the investment trust are calculated using close of business NAV

 

 

 

INTERIM MANAGEMENT REPORT

 

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

 

Net asset value total return

The UK equity market fell slightly over the first four months of the period under review, with the outlook uncertain for many companies due to the Covid-19 virus. A strong rally took place in the final two months of the period after newly developed vaccines were revealed to be effective against the virus. The FTSE All-Share Index recovered all of its losses from the first four months to produce a total return of 9.3% for the six months to 31 December 2020.

 

City of London's net asset value total return of 6.9% lagged the FTSE All-Share Index over the six month period. While gearing contributed positively by 0.7%, stock selection was negative by 3.0%. The biggest detracting sector was not holding equity investment instruments, especially Scottish Mortgage, followed by being underweight in travel & leisure, including not holding Flutter Entertainment. The third biggest detracting sector was our above average exposure to gas, water & multi-utilities. In general, some of the portfolio's more defensive holdings were underperformers, such as Nestlé (food manufacturer), Verizon Communications (US telecommunications operator) and RELX (information provider).

 

On a more positive note, the underweight positions in pharmaceuticals and oil & gas were the two biggest sector contributors followed by our holdings in real estate investment trusts, which recovered well in the last two months of the year. It was also pleasing to note strong stock contributions from M&G (life insurer and asset manager), Croda (chemicals) and La Française des Jeux (French National Lottery operator).

 

UK medium-sized and small companies, which are in general more domestic and cyclical, significantly outperformed UK large companies over the six months to 31 December 2020. The FTSE 250 Index of medium-sized companies produced a total return of 21.0% and the FTSE Small Cap Index 25.7%, while the FTSE 100 Index was 6.4%. This outperformance occurred despite dividend cuts being even more severe among medium-sized and small companies compared with FTSE 100 companies. City of London's relatively high FTSE 100 weighting and the defensive bias of its portfolio led to a total return underperformance over the six months compared with the averages of other UK equity income investment trusts and OEICs.

 

Earnings and dividends

Against the background of a significantly lower dividend base across the UK market compared with the same period last year, City of London's revenue earnings per share fell by 15.6%. Compared to our experience during the first half of 2020, when our earnings fell by 38.2% compared with the same period the previous year, there was a significant improvement with a number of investee companies returning to the dividend list, such as BAE Systems (aerospace and defence), Persimmon (housebuilder) and Direct Line Insurance. So far this financial year, City of London has declared two interim dividends of 4.75p each. City of London's diverse portfolio, strong cash flow and revenue reserve give the Board confidence that it will be able to increase the dividend for the fifty-fifth consecutive year. The quarterly rate will be reviewed by the Board before the third interim dividend is declared in March 2021.

 

Expenses

Expenses remain under tight control. The ongoing charge ratio is expected to remain around 0.36% for the year to 30 June 2021. There will, however, be a drop in interest costs following the redemption of our last debenture of £30 million, with a fixed interest rate of 8.5%, on 31 January 2021.

 

Material events and transactions during the period

During September 2020, 1,175,000 shares were bought back into treasury, at a discount to net asset value, for a total cost of £3,736,000. These were then reissued, at a premium to net asset value, for total proceeds of £3,860,000. A further 5,445,000 ordinary shares were issued at a premium to net asset value for total proceeds of £19,622,000.

 

The proceeds were predominantly invested in existing holdings in the portfolio considered to offer a realistic share price valuation relative to prospects and above average dividend yields. Areas of notable additions were: aerospace & defence (BAE Systems), financials (Direct Line Insurance, Legal & General, M&G and IG Group), tobacco (British American Tobacco and Imperial Brands) and utilities (SSE). One new holding was purchased, which was Cisco, the leading maker of network equipment for the internet.

 

Complete sales were made of Halma (health and safety equipment), Renishaw (precision measuring instruments) and Spirax-Sarco Engineering. All three stocks have performed exceptionally well over the period they have been in the portfolio, but their prospects were considered to be more than fully reflected in their share price valuations. Complete sales were also made of Greggs and National Express (bus and coach operator) given what was considered to be slow recovery prospects due to the pandemic. A complete sale was also made of TP ICAP (wholesale financial intermediary) following its change in corporate strategy. Overall, the number of holdings in the portfolio fell from 90 (at 30 June 2020) to 85 (at 31 December 2020).

 

The Board

Philip Remnant retired as Chairman at the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting on 27 October 2020 after nine years on the Board. It was unfortunate that the lockdown rules prevented shareholders from attending the Annual General Meeting in person, as I am sure that they would have wished to join the Board in thanking Philip for his outstanding leadership of the Company.

 

Martin Morgan will be retiring as a Director at the Annual General Meeting later this year, having served for nine years, and the Board will be starting a process to appoint a new Director shortly.

 

Outlook for the six months to 30 June 2021

The roll-out of three vaccines against the Covid-19 virus is very encouraging and provides "light at the end of the tunnel". It is unlikely, however, that there will be a smooth path to herd immunity for the UK or globally given current limitations to the supply of the vaccines and the apparent scope for the virus to mutate.

 

Governments and central banks have responded to the enforced lockdowns of economies as a result of Covid-19 with unprecedented fiscal and monetary easing. It is likely that, after a contraction in the first quarter of 2021, the UK and global economy will recover sharply over the rest of the year, with consumer demand bolstered by running down the high savings ratios accumulated while economic activity was restricted. The scale of the lockdowns could still leave deep scarring in some sectors, such as travel and hospitality, with the resumption of dividends some way off. City of London's portfolio remains biased towards large companies with defensive and cash generative qualities.

 

The UK's trade deal with the EU at the end of 2020 removed an uncertainty and may improve sentiment towards UK equities from global investors. While interest rates remain at a rock bottom level, UK equities offer a much more attractive yield and have scope to build on recent capital appreciation if expectations for profits and dividends are met.

 

Sir Laurie Magnus

Chairman

18 February 2021

 

 

 

PRINCIPAL RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The principal risks and uncertainties associated with the Company's business can be divided into the following main areas:

 

· Global pandemic

· Portfolio and market price

· Dividend income

· Investment activity, gearing and performance

· Tax and regulatory

· Operational

 

Information on these risks and how they are managed are given in the Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2020.  In the view of the Board, the principal risks and uncertainties at the year end remain and are as applicable to the remaining six months of the financial year as they were to the six months under review.

 

 

DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Directors confirm that, to the best of their knowledge:

 

the condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with FRS 104 "Interim Financial Reporting";

 

the Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the information required by Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule 4.2.7R (indication of important events during the first six months and description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining six months of the year); and

 

the Interim Management Report includes a fair review of the information required by Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule 4.2.8R (disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein).

 

 

 

On behalf of the Board

Sir Laurie Magnus

Chairman

18 February 2021

 

 

For further information please contact:

 

Job Curtis

Fund Manager

The City of London Investment Trust plc

Telephone: 020 7818 4367

 

James de Sausmarez

Director and Head of Investment Trusts

Janus Henderson Investors

Telephone: 020 7818 3349

 

Laura Thomas

Investment Trust PR Manager

Janus Henderson Investors

Tel: 020 7818 2636 

 

 

 

 

INCOME STATEMENT

 

 

(Unaudited)

Half-year ended

31 December 2020

(Unaudited)

Half-year ended

31 December 2019

(Audited)

Year ended

30 June 2020

 

Revenue

return

£'000

Capital

return

£'000

 

Total

£'000

Revenue

return

£'000

Capital

return

£'000

 

Total

£'000

Revenue

return

£'000

Capital

return

£'000

 

Total

£'000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gains/(losses) on investments held at fair value through profit or loss

68,598 

68,598 

65,349 

65,349 

(291,388)

(291,388)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from investments held at fair value through profit or loss

32,496 

32,496 

35,645 

35,645 

67,779 

67,779 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other interest receivable and similar income

154 

154 

116 

116 

176 

176 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross revenue and capital gains/(losses)

32,650 

68,598 

101,248 

35,761 

65,349 

101,110 

67,955 

(291,388)

(223,433)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management fee

(685)

(1,599)

(2,284)

(802)

(1,872)

(2,674)

(1,457)

(3,400)

(4,857)

Other administrative expenses

(389)

(389)

(354)

(354)

(696)

(7)

(703)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net return/(loss) before finance costs and taxation

31,576 

66,999 

98,575 

34,605 

63,477 

98,082 

65,802 

(294,795)

(228,993)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance costs

(984)

(2,112)

(3,096)

(1,112)

(2,411)

(3,523)

(2,163)

(4,681)

(6,844)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net return/(loss) before taxation

30,592

64,887 

95,479 

33,493 

 61,066 

94,559 

63,639 

(299,476)

(235,837)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taxation on net return/(loss)

(341)

(341)

(420)

(420)

(1,176)

-

(1,176)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net return/(loss) after taxation

30,251 

64,887 

95,138 

33,073 

61,066 

94,139 

62,463 

(299,476)

(237,013)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Return/(loss) per ordinary share (note 2)

7.25p

15.56p

22.81p

8.59p

15.86p

24.45p

15.73p

 (75.42p)

 (59.69p)

 

The total columns of this statement represent the Company's Income Statement, prepared in accordance with FRS 104. The revenue and capital columns are supplementary to this and are published under guidance from the Association of Investment Companies.

 

The Company has no recognised gains or losses other than those disclosed in the Income Statement and Statement of Changes in Equity. All items in the above statement derive from continuing operations. No operations were acquired or discontinued during the period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
 

 

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 

 

 

Half-year ended 31 December 2020 (unaudited)

Called-up share capital

£'000

Share premium account

£'000

Capital redemption reserve

£'000

Other 

capital 

reserves 

£'000 

 

Revenue 

reserve 

£'000 

 

 

Total 

£'000 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 July 2020

104,101

752,967

2,707

526,861 

45,623 

1,432,259 

Net return on ordinary activities after taxation

-

-

-

64,887 

30,251 

95,138 

Buyback of 1,175,000 ordinary shares for treasury

-

-

-

(3,736)

(3,736)

Issue of 1,175,000 ordinary shares from treasury

-

124

-

3,736 

3,860 

Issue of 5,445,000 new ordinary shares

1,361

18,261

-

19,622 

Fourth interim dividend (4.75p per share) for year ended 30 June 2020 paid

28 August 2020

-

-

-

(19,779)

(19,779)

First interim dividend (4.75p per share) for year ending 30 June 2021 paid 

30 November 2020

-

-

-

(19,724)

(19,724)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2020

105,462

771,352

2,707

591,748 

36,371 

1,507,640 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Half-year ended 31 December 2019 (unaudited)

Called-up share capital

£'000

Share premium account

£'000

Capital redemption reserve

£'000

Other

capital reserves

£'000

 

Revenue 

reserve 

£'000 

 

 

Total 

£'000 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 July 2019

94,709 

613,711 

2,707 

826,337 

58,259 

1,595,723 

Net return on ordinary activities after taxation

61,066 

33,073 

94,139 

Issue of 18,185,000 new ordinary shares

4,546 

71,779 

76,325 

Fourth interim dividend (4.75p per share) for year ended 30 June 2019 paid

31 August 2019

(18,012)

(18,012)

First interim dividend (4.75p per share) for year ended 30 June 2020 paid 

29 November 2019

(18,341)

(18,341)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 31 December 2019

99,255 

685,490 

2,707 

887,403 

54,979 

1,729,834 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended 30 June 2020

(audited)

Called-up share capital

£'000

Share premium account

£'000

Capital redemption reserve

£'000

Other 

capital 

 reserves 

£'000 

 

Revenue 

reserve 

£'000 

 

 

Total  

£'000 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 1 July 2019

94,709

613,711

2,707

826,337 

58,259 

1,595,723 

Net (loss)/return on ordinary activities after taxation

-

-

-

(299,476)

62,463 

(237,013)

Issue of 37,570,000 new ordinary shares

9,392

139,256

-

148,648 

Fourth interim dividend (4.75p per share) for year ended 30 June 2019 paid 30 August 2019

-

-

-

(18,012)

(18,012)

First interim dividend (4.75p per share) for year ended 30 June 2020 paid 29 November 2019

-

-

-

(18,341)

(18,341)

Second interim dividend (4.75p per share) for year ended 30 June 2020 paid 28 February 2020

-

-

-

(19,041)

(19,041)

Third interim dividend (4.75p per share) for year ended 30 June 2020 paid 29 May 2020

-

-

-

(19,705)

(19,705)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At 30 June 2020

104,101

752,967

2,707

526,861 

45,623 

1,432,259 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

 

 

(Unaudited) 

31 December 

2020 

£'000 

(Unaudited) 

31 December 

2019 

£'000 

(Audited) 

30 June 

2020 

£'000 

 

 

 

 

Investments held at fair value through

profit or loss (note 6)

 

 

 

Listed at market value in the United Kingdom

1,414,556 

1,684,974 

1,359,435 

Listed at market value overseas

223,058 

177,648 

211,589 

Investment in subsidiary undertakings

347 

347 

347 

 

 

 

 

 

1,637,961 

1,862,969 

1,571,371 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

Debtors

8,253 

7,288 

5,962 

 

 

 

 

 

8,253 

7,288 

5,962 

 

 

 

 

Creditors: amounts falling due within one year

(52,809)

(24,695)

(59,327)

 

 

 

 

Net current liabilities

(44,556)

(17,407)

(53,365)

 

 

 

 

Total assets less current liabilities

1,593,405 

1,845,562 

1,518,006 

 

 

 

 

Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year

(85,765)

(115,728)

(85,747)

 

 

 

 

Net assets

1,507,640 

1,729,834 

1,432,259 

 

 

 

 

Capital and reserves

 

 

Called-up share capital (note 3)

105,462 

99,255 

104,101 

Share premium account

771,352 

685,490 

752,967 

Capital redemption reserve

2,707 

2,707 

2,707 

Other capital reserves (note 4)

591,748 

887,403 

526,861 

Revenue reserve

36,371 

54,979 

45,623 

 

 

 

 

Equity shareholders' funds

1,507,640 

1,729,834 

1,432,259 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net asset value per ordinary share - basic and diluted (note 5)

357.4p

435.7p

344.0p

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

 

 

NOTES

 

1.

Accounting Policy - Basis of Preparation

 

The condensed set of financial statements has been prepared in accordance with FRS 104, Interim Financial Reporting, FRS 102, the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland and the Statement of Recommended Practice for "Financial Statements of Investment Trust Companies and Venture Capital Trusts", issued in October 2019.

 

For the period under review, the Company's accounting policies have not varied from those described in the Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2020. These financial statements have been neither audited nor reviewed by the Company's auditors.

 

As an investment fund, the Company has the option, which it has taken, not to present a cash flow statement. A cash flow statement is not required when an investment fund meets all the following conditions: substantially all of the entity's investments are highly liquid and are carried at market value; and where a statement of changes in equity is provided.

 

2.

Return per Ordinary Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

Half-year

ended

31 December

2020

£'000

 

(Unaudited)

Half-year

ended

31 December

2019

£'000

 

(Audited) 

Year ended 

30 June 

2020 

 '000 

 

The return per ordinary share is based on the following figures:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue return

30,251

 

33,073

 

62,463 

 

Capital return/(loss)

64,887

 

61,066

 

(299,476)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

95,138

 

94,139

 

(237,013)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue for each period

417,014,243

 

384,976,853

 

397,078,092 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue return per ordinary share

7.25p

 

8.59p

 

15.73p 

 

Capital return/(loss) per ordinary share

15.56p

 

15.86p

 

(75.42p)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total return/(loss) per ordinary share

22.81p

 

24.45p

 

(59.69p)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Company does not have any dilutive securities, therefore, the basic and diluted returns per share are the same.

 

3.

Share Capital

 

During the half-year ended 31 December 2020, 1,175,000 ordinary shares were bought back into treasury for a total cost of £3,736,000. These shares were then re-issued for total proceeds of £3,860,000 and a further 5,445,000 new ordinary shares were issued for total proceeds of £19,622,000 (half-year ended 31 December 2019: 18,185,000 ordinary shares issued for total proceeds of £76,325,000; year ended 30 June 2020: 37,570,000 ordinary shares issued for total proceeds of £148,648,000). The number of ordinary shares in issue at 31 December 2020 was 421,849,868. There are no shares in treasury.

 

4.

Other Capital Reserves

 

At 31 December 2020, the other capital reserves are made up of the capital reserve arising on investments sold which was £300,424,000 (31 December 2019: £341,539,000; 30 June 2020: £271,839,000) and is distributable and the capital reserve arising on revaluation of investments held which was £291,324,000 (31 December 2019: £545,864,000; 30 June 2020: £255,022,000), which is not distributable.

 

5.

Net Asset Value per Ordinary Share

 

The net asset value per ordinary share is based on the net assets attributable to the ordinary shares of £1,507,640,000 (31 December 2019: £1,729,834,000; 30 June 2020: £1,432,259,000) and on 421,849,868 ordinary shares (31 December 2019: 397,019,868; 30 June 2020: 416,404,868), being the number of ordinary shares in issue at the period end.

 

6.

Financial Instruments

 

The financial assets and financial liabilities are either carried in the Statement of Financial Position at their fair value or the Statement of Financial Position amount is a reasonable approximation of fair value (debtors and creditors falling due within one year). The debenture stock, secured notes, preference stocks and preferred ordinary stock are carried in the Statement of Financial Position at par.

 

At 31 December 2020, the fair value of the debenture stock was £30,150,000 (31 December 2019: £42,225,000; 30 June 2020: £31,191,000) and the aggregate fair value of the preferred and preference stocks was £2,635,000 (31 December 2019: £2,634,000; 30 June 2020: £2,634,000).

 

The valuations of the debenture stock are obtained from brokers based on market prices. The valuations of the preferred and preference stock are from the Daily Official List quotations.

 

As at 31 December 2020, the fair value of the secured notes was estimated to be £109,196,000 (31 December 2019: £99,715,000; 30 June 2020: £103,950,000).

 

The valuation of the secured loan notes is calculated using a discount rate which reflects the yield on a UK gilt of similar maturity plus a suitable credit spread.

 

The debenture stock, preference stocks and preferred ordinary stock are categorised as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The secured notes are categorised as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. 

 

The table below sets out fair value measurements of the investments using the FRS 102 fair value hierarchy.

 

 

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss at 31 December 2020

 

 

 

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

Equity investments

1,637,614

  - 

347

1,637,961

 

Total

1,637,614

  - 

347

1,637,961

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss at 31 December 2019

 

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

Equity investments

1,862,622

  - 

347

1,862,969

 

Total

1,862,622

  - 

347

1,862,969

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss at 30 June 2020

 

 

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Total

 

 

£'000

£'000

£'000

£'000

 

Equity investments

1,571,024

347

1,571,371

 

Total

1,571,024

347

1,571,371

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categorisation within the hierarchy has been determined on the basis of the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of the relevant asset as follows: 

 

Level 1: The unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date;

 

Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable (i.e., developed using market data) for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and

 

Level 3: Inputs are unobservable (i.e., for which market data is unavailable) for the asset or liability.

 

 

The valuation techniques used by the Company are explained in the accounting policies note 1 in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 2020.

 

7.

Transaction Costs

 

Purchase transaction costs for the half-year ended 31 December 2020 were £359,000 (half-year ended 31 December 2019: £598,000; year ended 30 June 2020: £1,627,000). These comprise mainly stamp duty and commissions. Sale transaction costs for the half-year ended 31 December 2020 were £34,000 (half-year ended 31 December 2019: £21,000; year ended 30 June 2020: £72,000).

 

8.

Dividends

 

A first interim dividend of 4.75p per ordinary share was paid on 30 November 2020. The second interim dividend of 4.75p per ordinary share (declared on 15 December 2020) will be paid on 26 February 2021 to shareholders on the register on 29 January 2021. The Company's shares went ex-dividend on 28 January 2021.

 

9.

Related Party Transactions

 

Other than the relationship between the Company and its Directors, the provision of services by Janus Henderson is the only related party arrangement currently in place. Other than fees payable by the Company in the ordinary course of business and the provision of marketing services, there have been no material transactions with this related party affecting the financial position of the Company during the period under review.

 

10.

Going Concern

 

The assets of the Company consist of securities that are readily realisable. The Directors have also considered the impact of Covid-19, including cash flow forecasting, a review of covenant compliance including the headroom above the most restrictive covenants and an assessment of the liquidity of the portfolio and have concluded that the Company has adequate resources to meet its financial obligations, including the repayment of the debenture stock and the bank overdraft, as they fall due for a period of at least twelve months from the date of approval of the financial statements. Having assessed these factors and the principal risks, the Board has determined that it is appropriate for the financial statements to be prepared on a going concern basis.

 

11.

Comparative Information

 

The financial information contained in this half-year report does not constitute statutory accounts as defined in section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. The figures and financial information for the year ended 30 June 2020 are extracted from the latest published accounts and do not constitute the statutory accounts for that year. Those accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and included the Report of the Independent Auditors, which was unqualified and did not include a statement under either section 498(2) or 498(3) of the Companies Act 2006.

 

12.

General Information

Company Status

 

The City of London Investment Trust plc is a UK domiciled investment trust company.

 

 

ISIN number / SEDOL: ordinary shares: GB0001990497 / 0199049

 

London Stock Exchange (TIDM) Code: CTY

 

 

Global Intermediary Identification Number (GIIN): S55HF7.99999.SL.826

 

 

Legal Entity Identifier number (LEI): 213800F3NOTF47H6AO55

 

 

Company Registration Number

 

UK: 00034871  

New Zealand: 1215729

 

 

Registered Office

 

201 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3AE

 

 

Directors and Secretary

 

The Directors of the Company are Sir Laurie Magnus (Chairman), Samantha Wren (Audit Committee Chair), Martin Morgan (Senior Independent Director), Robert Edward (Ted) Holmes and Clare Wardle.

 

Philip Remnant CBE (former Chairman) retired from the Board on 27 October 2020.

 

 

The Corporate Secretary is Henderson Secretarial Services Limited, represented by Sally Porter, ACG.

 

 

Website

 

Details of the Company's share price and net asset value, together with general information about the Company, monthly factsheets and data, copies of announcements, reports and details of general meetings can be found at www.cityinvestmenttrust.com

 

13.

Half-Year Report

An abbreviated version of the half-year report, the 'Update', will be posted to shareholders in early March 2021. The Update will also be available on the Company's website www.cityinvestmenttrust.comor in hard copy from the Company's registered office.

           

 

 

 

FORTY LARGEST INVESTMENTS

 

Company 

 Market value

31 December

2020

£'000

 

 Company

Market value

31 December

2020

£'000

British American Tobacco

69,325

 

Anglo American

28,618

Diageo

56,979

 

St. James's Place

28,054

Unilever

54,241

 

Tesco

26,842

Rio Tinto

49,777

 

Vodafone

26,607

Royal Dutch Shell

47,942

 

Schroders

26,277

RELX

45,695

 

Nestlé

25,886

GlaxoSmithKline

42,944

 

Persimmon

23,519

M&G

38,600

 

Barclays

22,002

HSBC

37,506

 

Direct Line Insurance

21,851

Imperial Brands

36,852

 

Taylor Wimpey

21,305

BHP

35,280

 

IG

20,688

SSE

34,500

 

Lloyds Banking

20,406

National Grid

34,168

 

Land Securities

20,214

Phoenix

33,979

 

Ferguson

19,545

Reckitt Benckiser

32,710

 

Legal & General

18,634

BAE Systems

32,261

 

Novartis

18,205

BP

31,723

 

Wm Morrison

17,735

Prudential

31,655

 

Severn Trent

17,167

Verizon Communications

30,060

 

Segro

17,057

AstraZeneca

29,296

 

Munich Re

16,817

 

 

These investments total £1,242,922,000 or 75.9% of the portfolio.

 

 

Convertibles and all classes of equity in any one company are treated as one investment.

 

 

SECTOR EXPOSURE

 

As a percentage of the investment portfolio excluding cash

 

 

%

Financials

25.4

Consumer Goods 

22.6

Basic Materials

9.9

Consumer Services

8.7

Health Care

8.0

Industrials

6.6

Utilities  

6.4

Oil & Gas

5.5

Telecommunications

4.9

Technology 

2.0

Total

100.0

 

 

 

SECTOR BREAKDOWN OF INVESTMENTS

 

 

Market value

31 December

2020

£'000

 

 

Market value

31 December

2020

£'000

OIL & GAS

 

 

Support Services

 

Oil & Gas Producers

 

 

Ferguson

19,545

Royal Dutch Shell

47,942

 

Paypoint

5,559

BP

31,723

 

 

25,104

Total1

11,059

 

Total Industrials

107,313

 

90,724

 

 

 

Total Oil & Gas

90,724

 

CONSUMER GOODS

 

 

 

 

Beverages

 

BASIC MATERIALS

 

 

Diageo

56,979

Chemicals

 

 

Coca-Cola1

15,251

Croda International

7,585

 

Britvic

8,120

Victrex

6,100

 

 

80,350

Johnson Matthey

4,365

 

 

 

 

18,050

 

Food Producers

 

 

 

 

Nestlé1

25,886

Construction & Materials

 

 

Tate & Lyle

15,174

Ibstock

11,473

 

 

41,060

Marshalls

6,952

 

 

 

 

18,425

 

Household Goods & Home Construction

 

 

 

Reckitt Benckiser

32,710

Forestry & Paper

 

 

Persimmon

23,519

Mondi

11,177

 

Taylor Wimpey

21,305

 

11,177

 

Berkeley

11,144

 

 

 

 

88,678

Mining

 

 

 

 

Rio Tinto

49,777

Personal Goods

 

BHP

35,280

 

Unilever

54,241

Anglo American

28,618

 

 

54,241

 

113,675

 

 

 

Total Basic Materials

161,327

 

Tobacco

 

 

 

 

British American Tobacco

69,325

INDUSTRIALS

 

 

Imperial Brands

36,852

Aerospace & Defence

 

 

 

106,177

BAE Systems

32,261

 

Total Consumer Goods

370,506

Meggitt

2,426

 

 

 

 

34,687

 

HEALTH CARE

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Services 

Electronic & Electrical Equipment

 

Smith & Nephew

11,203

XP Power

9,380

 

 

11,203

 

9,380

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology

General Industrials

 

 

GlaxoSmithKline

42,944

Siemens1

9,993

 

AstraZeneca

29,296

Smiths

7,603

 

Novartis1

18,205

Swire Pacific1

4,100

 

Merck1

16,749

 

21,696

 

Johnson & Johnson1

11,962

 

 

 

119,156

Industrial Engineering

 

 

Total Health Care

130,359

IMI

10,881

 

 

 

Rotork

5,565

 

 

 

16,446

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

Market value

31 December 2020

£'000

 

 

Market value

31 December 2020

£'000

CONSUMER SERVICES

 

 

FINANCIALS

 

Food & Drug Retailers

 

 

Banks

 

Tesco

26,842

 

HSBC

37,506

Wm Morrison

17,735

 

Barclays

22,002

 

44,577

 

Lloyds Banking

20,406

 

 

 

Nationwide Building Society 10.25% Var Perp CCDS

11,552

General Retailers

 

Kingfisher

7,842

 

 

91,466

Halfords

5,874

 

 

 

DFS

3,520

 

Financial Services

 

 

17,236

 

M&G

38,600

 

 

 

Schroders

26,277

Media

 

 

IG

20,688

RELX

45,695

 

Brewin Dolphin

13,115

Daily Mail & General

3,725

 

98,680

ITV

2,884

 

 

 

 

52,304

Life Insurance

 

 

 

Phoenix

33,979

Travel & Leisure

 

 

Prudential

31,655

La Française des Jeux1

15,068

 

St. James's Place

28,054

Ten Entertainment

6,255

 

Legal & General

18,634

Young

3,026

 

 

112,322

Go-Ahead

2,363

 

 

 

Carnival

2,119

 

Non-life Insurance

 

 

28,831

 

Direct Line Insurance

21,851

Total Consumer Services

142,948

 

Munich Re1

16,817

 

 

 

Hiscox

11,247

TELECOMMUNICATIONS

 

 

Sabre Insurance

9,213

Fixed Line Telecommunications

 

 

59,128

Verizon Communications1

30,060

 

 

 

 

30,060

 

Real Estate Investment Trusts

 

 

 

Land Securities

20,214

Mobile Telecommunications

 

Segro

17,057

Vodafone

26,607

 

British Land

13,447

Orange1

11,760

 

Hammerson

3,512

Deutsche Telekom1

11,713

 

 

54,230

 

50,080

 

Total Financials

415,826

Total Telecommunications

80,140

 

 

 

 

 

 

TECHNOLOGY

 

UTILITIES

 

Software & Computer Services

Electricity

 

SSE

34,500

 

Microsoft1

16,254

 

34,500

 

Sage

9,114

 

 

 

 

25,368

Gas, Water & Multi-utilities

 

 

 

 

National Grid

34,168

 

Technology Hardware & Equipment

Severn Trent

17,167

 

Cisco Systems1

8,181

United Utilities

9,666

 

 

8,181

Pennon

9,421

 

Total Technology

33,549

 

70,422

 

 

 

Total Utilities

104,922

 

TOTAL INVESTMENTS

1,637,614

 

 

 

 

 

       

 

1 Overseas listed

 

Neither the contents of the Company's website nor the contents of any website accessible from hyperlinks on the Company's website (or any other website) is incorporated into, or forms part of, this announcement.

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